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For Immediate Release: Media contact: Aimee BarabeApril 2, 2012 Cell: 505-470-2290

Department of Health Warns of Salmonella Risk in Small Turtles

(Santa Fe) -- The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is advising families to avoid

potential exposure to Salmonella by not purchasing small turtles or giving them to children for

pets. NMDOH has been working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

and other state health departments over the last several months on a multistate outbreak of

Salmonella related to exposure with small turtles. Of the sixty-six patients from sixteen states

who became ill with Salmonella due to this outbreak, 3 are from New Mexico (2 children less

than 5 years old and one adult).

It is important to protect New Mexicos families from this potentially fatal disease byreminding the public to take proper precautions when handling all reptiles and amphibians, said

Dr. Catherine Torres, Cabinet Secretary for NMDOH. Salmonella is completely avoidable when

preventative measures are followed properly.

Contact with reptiles (such as turtles, snakes, and lizards) and amphibians (such as frogs andtoads) can be a source of human Salmonella infections. Small turtles, with a shell length of

less than 4 inches, are a well-known source of human Salmonella infection, especially

among young children. Because of this risk, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has

banned the sale and distribution of these turtles since 1975. Amphibians and reptiles cancarry Salmonella germs and still appear healthy and clean. Salmonella germs are shed in

their droppings and can easily contaminate their bodies and anything in areas where these

animals live. Reptiles and amphibians that live in tanks or aquariums can contaminate thewater with germs, which can spread to people.

We have had reports of small turtles being sold out of the back of vehicles in store parking

lots, said Paul Ettestad, NMDOHs public health veterinarian. It is important to realize that

while these turtles dont appear sick, they often carry the bacteria Salmonella that can be

extremely harmful to humans.

Most persons infected with Salmonella bacteria develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps12-72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed from a stool sample. The illness

usually lasts from 4 to 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections

may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with weakened immune systems are more likelythan others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella bacteria may

spread to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is

treated promptly with antibiotics.

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NMDOH recommends the following preventive measures:

Do not purchase turtles with shell length less than 4 inches in size. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after touching any live

reptile, amphibian or anything in the area where they live. Use hand sanitizer if soap and

water are not readily available.

Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.

Do not let reptiles out into the house to roam or be handled by young children. Keep turtles out of homes with children younger than 5 years old, elderly persons, or

people with weakened immune systems.

Turtles and other reptiles should not be kept in child care centers, schools, or otherfacilities with children younger than 5 years old.

To learn more about Salmonella infection from small turtles and links to advice on other reptiles

visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at:

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/small-turtles-03-12/advice-consumers.html .

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