CDC Reports Pet Turtle Salmonella Outbreak Link – Exposure to small turtles is being linked to a total of 6 nationwide outbreaks of Salmonella Sandiego, Pomona, and Poona. As of September 20, 2012, 196 individuals had been infected with one of the three mentioned strains of Salmonella. Sixty-three percent of those sickened, are 10 years old or younger according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC). The first reported illness related to the outbreak occurred on May 23, 2012.
Pet Turtle Salmonella Outbreak Cases By State
According to the CDC, thirty-one states have reported cases of salmonellosis caused by the outbreak strains as follows: Alabama (2), Alaska (2), Arizona (6), California (38), Colorado (5), Delaware (3), Georgia (4), Illinois (4), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (1), Maryland (6), Massachusetts (5), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Mississippi (1), Nevada (9), New Jersey (10), New Mexico (6), New York (26), North Carolina (3), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (18), South Carolina (5), Tennessee (5), Texas (20), Vermont (1), Virginia (5), and West Virginia (2).
About Salmonella
Information for Consumers: The small turtles that have been linked to the outbreak are classified as being less than 4 inches in size. Turtles like these have caused outbreaks in the past and because of this the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of these small turtles as pets in 1975. Accordingly, small turtles should never be purchased as pets or gifts.
Symptoms of Salmonella Infection: Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning may include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain. Symptoms usually appear within 12-72 hours after contact the Salmonella bacteria. While most people recover within 4-7 days, diarrhea may become so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
In more severe cases, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and other body sites. This can result in death, unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to suffer severe illness.
Diagnosis of Salmonella Infection: If you suspect that you have contracted Salmonella or are experiencing food poisoning symptoms, contact your doctor. He or she can order a stool culture to confirm Salmonella infection. Let your doctor know that you may have come into contact with Salmonella.
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If you or a loved one is diagnosed with salmonellosis, and you have a question regarding your legal rights, please call our law firm at 1-877-934-6274. Please see Personal Injury Lawyer NJ to learn about our additional areas of litigation including Blood Clot Lawsuits and C Diff Lawsuit.