Turtle-Associated Salmonellosis in Humans - United States, 2006-2007

Turtles and other reptiles are reservoirs of Salmonella and have long been a recognized source of Salmonella infection in humans. In fact, the association between Salmonella infection in children and exposure to turtles has led to a 1975 law prohibiting the sale or distribution of small turtles (tha...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2007, Vol.56 (26), p.649
Main Authors: Chatfield, D, Winpisinger, K, Sumner, P, Grossman, N
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Disease prevention
Human exposure
Infections
Public health
Reptiles & amphibians
Salmonella
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Turtles and other reptiles are reservoirs of Salmonella and have long been a recognized source of Salmonella infection in humans. In fact, the association between Salmonella infection in children and exposure to turtles has led to a 1975 law prohibiting the sale or distribution of small turtles (that is, those with a carapace of less than four inches in length) in the United States. Considering these, Chatfield et al report several recent cases of turtle-associated salmonellosis reported to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) by state and local health departments since September 2006, including a fatal case in an infant. These cases illustrate that small turles remain a source of human Salmonella infections. Although ongoing public education measures aimed at preventing reptile-acquired Salmonella infections are helpful, prohibiting the sale of small turles likely remains the most effective public health action to prevent turtle-associated salmonellosis. An informative box outlining several recommendations for preventing the transmission of Salmonella from reptiles and amphibians to humans is provided. A CDC editorial note is also presented.
ISSN:0149-2195
1545-861X