A Salmonella outbreak linked to pet turtles has more than doubled since it was first announced, with the CDC now counting 20 sick people in 12 states, including five who were hospitalized. The agency's Sept. 18 update added 12 new cases, six new states and two new hospitalizations, and half of everyone sickened is younger than 5.
The update shifts the question for families. The outbreak did not end with the early-summer cases first reported in August. Illnesses kept appearing into late summer, which means turtles already in homes, or planned as gifts, still carry the same risk.
The CDC stresses that the true count is likely much higher. Many people recover without seeing a doctor, and it usually takes three to four weeks to determine whether a new illness is part of an outbreak. No deaths have been reported.
Twelve New Illnesses Show the Risk Outlasted Early Summer
According to the CDC outbreak notice, the investigation remains open, with 20 cases, five hospitalizations, and no deaths. "Although any turtle can carry Salmonella germs that can spread to you and make you sick, turtles with shells less than 4 inches long are a known source of illness," the agency said.
MedicalDaily first reported the outbreak in August, when the CDC had confirmed eight sick children and three hospitalizations in six states. At that point, every patient was younger than 10, and illnesses had started between June 6 and July 4.
The picture is now broader. Illnesses began between June 6 and Aug. 22, and patients range in age from under 1 to 36. CDC case data summarized by food safety attorney Bill Marler, whose firm represents people sickened in outbreaks, place six cases in Florida and four in Texas, with one each in Iowa, Kentucky, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The strain is Salmonella Paratyphi B variant L(+) tartrate+. Whole genome sequencing showed that bacteria from patients are closely related genetically, and none of the 20 samples predicted resistance to any antibiotics.
Families with Babies and Preschoolers Face the Sharpest Risk
Young children are at the center of this outbreak for simple reasons. They touch everything, put their hands in their mouths, and are more likely to become seriously ill from Salmonella. In the CDC's latest investigation details, 20% of patients were 1 year old or younger.
Of 14 patients with information available, 11 reported contact with pet turtles before getting sick. Of the seven who reported the turtle's size, six said its shell was less than 4 inches long. Turtles were bought at several types of places, including pet stores, flea markets, and a reptile expo, and three people received turtles as gifts. A common supplier has not been identified.
The CDC says pet turtles are not recommended for children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, or anyone with a weakened immune system. Families with a new baby or a toddler at home can reasonably rethink where a turtle tank sits and who handles the turtle.
Small Turtles Remain Banned but Easy to Buy
Selling turtles with shells less than 4 inches long as pets has been illegal since 1975 under a federal FDA rule. The CDC warns that these turtles are still sometimes sold illegally online, in stores, at flea markets and at roadside stands. The CDC has not named a seller in this outbreak.
For households, the practical checks are specific. Measure any turtle's shell before buying. Avoid turtles sold as cheap novelties or in tiny plastic tanks. Buy larger turtles only from a reputable pet store, and consider asking a veterinarian whether a turtle fits your family.
Larger turtles are not risk-free. Turtles of any size can carry Salmonella in their droppings while looking perfectly healthy, and the germs spread easily to tank water, shells, and nearby surfaces.
Symptoms Parents Should Watch After Turtle Contact
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps between six hours and six days after swallowing the bacteria. Most recover without treatment in four to seven days.
The CDC advises calling a health care provider right away for diarrhea with a fever above 102 degrees, diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvement, bloody diarrhea, vomiting so severe that liquids will not stay down, or signs of dehydration. In young children, dehydration can show up as fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth, or unusual sleepiness.
Prevention steps are simple but must be consistent. Wash hands with soap and water right after touching a turtle or its habitat, supervise young children's handwashing, and do not kiss or snuggle turtles. Keep turtles out of kitchens and away from floors where babies crawl, and clean tanks outside or in a laundry sink or bathtub that is disinfected afterward.
Families who decide a turtle is no longer a good fit should not release it outdoors. The CDC recommends calling a reptile rescue, animal shelter, or pet store about rehoming it. MedicalDaily will update this report when the CDC releases new case counts or identifies a turtle source.
Key Questions Answered
What changed in the latest update? The CDC now counts 20 cases in 12 states with five hospitalizations, up from eight children in six states in August.
Who is getting sick? Half of the patients are younger than 5, and patients range in age from under 1 to 36. No deaths have been reported.
Which states are affected? CDC case data show the most cases in Florida and Texas, with single cases in 10 other states.
Can a healthy-looking turtle make my child sick? Yes. Turtles of any size can carry Salmonella in their droppings even when they look clean and healthy.
Is it legal to buy a small turtle? Not as a pet from a business. Federal law has banned the sale of turtles with shells less than 4 inches long as pets since 1975.
When should I call a doctor? For fever above 102 degrees with diarrhea, diarrhea lasting more than two days, bloody diarrhea, persistent vomiting or signs of dehydration.
Should we get rid of our turtle? Not necessarily, but the CDC does not recommend turtles for homes with children younger than 5. Never release a pet turtle outdoors.
