Turtle-Associated Salmonellosis, United States, 2006–2014
Stacey Bosch, Robert V. Tauxe, Casey Barton Behravesh
Emerging infectious diseases
Abstract
During 2006-2014, a total of 15 multistate outbreaks of turtle-associated salmonellosis in humans were reported in the United States. Exposure to small pet turtles has long been recognized as a source of human salmonellosis. The risk to public health has persisted and may be increasing. Turtles are a popular reptilian pet among children, and numerous risky behaviors for the zoonotic transmission of Salmonella bacteria to children have been reported in recent outbreaks. Despite a long-standing federal ban against the sale and distribution of turtles <4 in (<10.16 cm) long, these small reptiles can be readily acquired through multiple venues and continue to be the main source of turtle-associated salmonellosis in children. Enhanced efforts are needed to minimize the disease risk associated with small turtle exposure. Prevention will require novel partnerships and a comprehensive One Health approach involving human, animal, and environmental health.
Extracted Claims
2 claims extracted from this paper into the knowledge graph
turtles <4 in (<10.16 cm) long are banned from sale and distribution in the United States
“Despite a long-standing federal ban against the sale and distribution of turtles <4 in (<10.16 cm) long, these small reptiles can be readily acquired through multiple venues and continue to be the mai...”
small pet turtles are a source of human salmonellosis
“Exposure to small pet turtles has long been recognized as a source of human salmonellosis.”