Many children are fascinated by pets like turtles and other reptiles. However, many people don’t realize that animals like turtles, snakes, and lizards can carry potentially harmful germs. Children younger than five years old or people with weakened immune systems could be at risk if they are exposed to these animals.
Turtles, and other reptiles, can carry a germ called Salmonella, even though the animals seem healthy. Frequently, people hear about Salmonella poisoning due to contaminated food, but it is possible to come into contact with the bacteria when handling amphibians and reptiles. A person can also become infected through contact with the animal’s habitat, such as the tank or the water they live in.
Salmonella causes Salmonellosis, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps. Sometimes hospital care is necessary because in severe cases, the bacteria could spread to the bloodstream and potentially lead to death. Proper treatment is extremely important in these cases.
Since 1975, it has been illegal in the United States to sell or distribute small turtles with shells that measure less than 4 inches in length. This size was chosen because young children are more likely to treat smaller turtles as toys and put them in their mouths. This ban, enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, likely remains the most effective public health action to prevent Salmonella infections associated with turtles.
Since 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of 11 multistate outbreaks, including 6 ongoing outbreaks, and more than 535 cases of laboratory-confirmed Salmonella infections linked to contact with small turtles and their habitats. These illnesses resulted in about 85 hospitalizations and one death. Because many people with salmonellosis do not seek medical care or are not tested, it is estimated that 16 times as many illnesses occurred than were reported.
Tips to reduce the risk of illness from turtles and other reptiles:
1. Don’t buy small turtles from street vendors, websites, pet stores, or other sources.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after touching a reptile or anything in the area where they live and roam. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available. Adults should always supervise hand washing for young children.
3. Don’t let young children handle or touch reptiles or anything in the area where they live and roam, including water from containers or tanks.
4. Keep reptiles out of homes with young children or people with weakened immune systems.
5. Reptiles should not be kept in child care centers, nursery schools, or other facilities with young children.
6. Don’t touch your mouth after handling reptiles and do not eat or drink around these animals.
7. Don’t let reptiles roam freely throughout the house or in areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored, such as kitchens, pantries, or outdoor patios.
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