AUSTIN (KXAN) — Those considering getting a pet turtle should think again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced outbreaks of Salmonella have infected small turtles, according to a news release from the agency.
According to the CDC, the outbreak has affected 17 children under 5 and 10 under the age of 1.
A total of 51 reports of the illness were reported in 21 states “linked to contact with small turtles (shells less than 4 inches long),” the release said.
Salmonella is a bacterial disease that can be transferred via contaminated food or water.
“A federal law bans the sale and distribution of turtles with shells less than 4 inches long as pets because of the repeated illnesses and outbreaks,” the CDC said. “Despite the ban, some online retailers, pet stores, and roadside markets continue to sell small turtles.”
Those who want to buy a turtle as a pet should only buy the ones longer than 4 inches, the release said. The turtles should be purchased from “reputable pet stores or rescues.”
Turtle owners should also wash their hands after touching, feeding or caring for the pet, according to the CDC. If the owner decides it does not want the turtle anymore, do not release it into the wild, the release said.
“Reach out to your local pet store or reptile rescue,” the CDC said.
The release said pet turtles “are not recommended for children younger than 5, adults aged 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems.” These age groups “are more likely to have severe illness,” according to the CDC.
Symptoms to look for in Salmonella are diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, which happened from six hours to six days after being exposed to the disease, the release said. The illness lasts from four to seven days, and the CDC said most people recover without needing treatment.
“In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized,” the CDC said.