Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Small Turtles

Before you buy your next pet, a national health agency has a warning for you. The Centers for Disease Control says some pets could give your kids Salmonella. The CDC says there have been 168 cases of Salmonella linked to small turtles since 2011 in several states. So before you pick out your next pet, the agency wants you to make sure you know which ones won't get your kids  sick.

"My 13 year old wants a turtle," said Gloria Castle.

Gloria Castle came to Alligator Alley in Northwest Oklahoma City to buy a pet turtle for her daughter.

"So we're trying to decide what's going to be the best choice," said Castle.  "What do we need for the turtle and just get informed basically."

After touring the pet store, Castle's son started wanting a turtle too.

"Because I think it's cool to just have a turtle and that way, I can just play with it once in a while," said Carlos Hidalgo.

Carlos Hidalgo doesn't just want any turtle. He wants a small one.

"They're so small and all that," said Hidalgo.

"They can be cute, they can be fun," said Laurence Burnsed.

Laurence Burnsed of the Oklahoma State Department of Health says turtles can get kids sick.

"The fact that there have been cases of illness identified from a specific source, meaning specifically turtles, is a concern," said Burnsed. 

According to the CDC, 34 people have been hospitalized since 2011 after contracting Salmonella from small turtles.

"This is a bacteria germ that can cause diarrhea, vomitting, stomach cramps and in some cases can be severe," said Burnsed. 

There's currently a federal ban on the sale of turtles that are four inches in size or less. So Alligator Alley does not sell the kind of turtle that Castle's kids want. Plus, the Health Department says any reptile could get kids sick if they don't wash their hands after touching them. Now Castle is reconsidering what kind of pet she's going to get for her kids.

"I need to make sure that if we do get something, that they know that they carry diseases, that they need to wash their hands, you know, just take precautions," said Castle.

If you'd like from information from the CDC about the Salmonella outbreaks linked to small turtles, check out the following website:     
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/small-turtles-03-12/index.html

MARISA MENDELSON
FOX 25 NEWS
MLMENDELSON@OKCFOX.COM
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Small Turtles

Posted: Sunday, September 16 2012, 10:42 PM CDT