In 1975, the United States banned selling turtles less than 4 inches across. That's because turtles carry salmonella bacteria that can infect humans. But today Americans keep more than 2 million small turtles as pets. Most people don't know about the ban, say researchers who studied a salmonella outbreak linked to pet turtles. They published their findings October 19 in the journal Pediatrics. The outbreak occurred in 2007 and 2008. At least 107 people in 34 states got sick. One-third of them had to be put in a hospital. People had bought their pet turtles in pet shots, flea markets, on the street and online. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating these vendors, the article said. Other researchers have tried to breed turtles that don't carry salmonella, the Associated Press reported. But they have not succeeded so far.

By Henry H. Bernstein, D.O.
Harvard Medical School

What Is the Doctor's Reaction?

More and more people have pets at home. Animals can be good for the growth and development of children.

Some pets are from faraway places. Others (for example, reptiles, rodents and birds) make unusual pets.

But animals also can expose humans to serious diseases, such as rabies.

Everyone needs to know how best to enjoy our scaly, furry and feathery friends without getting sick. An article published this month in the journal Pediatrics highlights the problem. The article describes one of the largest outbreaks of an infection linked to turtles.

In 2007 to 2008, more than 100 people in 34 states were infected with salmonella bacteria. Most were children. They became sick once the salmonella got inside their mouths. One out of three children who became sick needed to be admitted to a hospital.

For example, two girls went swimming with their pet turtles. Both birls got bloody diarrhea and vomiting. One of the girls' kidneys stopped working altogether. Other people who never came near to the slow-moving creatures became very sick from the salmonella the turtles carried.

Turtles and other reptiles -- lizards, iguanas, snakes and alligators -- may seem like fun pets. What people do not know is that reptiles can carry salmonella. This germ can easily be passed along to humans, making us ill.

People touch their mouths all the time without even thinking about it. Animals can have salmonella on their bodies. Therefore, petting animals or touching surfaces where they are kept can be very dangerous.

More than 4.4 million homes have reptiles. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned small turtles (less than 4 inches) as pets in 1975. Even with this federal ban, about 2 million people still have small pet turtles.

What Changes Can I Make Now?

You need to avoid catching unhealthy germs from animals. There is real risk for infection or injury if children:

• Touch certain pets
• Are near animals in public places
• Eat food near animals
• Touch others who were near animals
• Try to catch stray or wild animals

Some people are more likely to get sick from animals. They include:

• Children under 5 years old
• Pregnant women
• Elderly people
• Anyone who gets sick easily

Small children are especially at risk to get sick. Their immune systems are less developed. Plus, they are more likely to touch animals and then put their hands right into their mouths.

If you or your family members are going to be around animals at a zoo or in pet stores, take these precautions:

• Do not touch your nose or mouth with your hands.
• Make sure children are not sucking their thumbs or biting their nails.
• Do not eat or drink in any area where animals are kept.
• Wash your hands right away after leaving.
• Keep a close watch on children at all times.
• Do not bring strollers into areas with animals. The strollers can get germs on them, which children then touch.
• If a place with animals seems dirty, avoid that area completely.

If you have a nontraditional pet at home (or you are thinking about getting one), make sure you speak with your pediatrician and veterinarian. They can:

• Offer advice on proper pet selection
• Give information about safe pet ownership and responsibility
• Help you keep risks to infants and children at a minimum

You can also help keep everyone at home healthy by knowing when your own animals are sick. With all pets, even your cats and dogs, pay attention to their symptoms. Just like humans, when animals are stressed, they can get sick more easily. They behave differently than usual.

What Can I Expect Looking to the Future?

Authorities are also creating better ways to keep the public safe, such as strict rules about handling pets and avoiding human contact with zoo animals.

I think you will see more educational materials about preventing the dangers of illness from certain animals. You will still be able to see, enjoy and even pet your favorite zoo friends, but you'll be at less risk to get sick or pass along disease.

With this recent salmonella outbreak, people are paying closer attention to illness risk that comes from contact with animals. It would be nice to breed turtles without any salmonella, but this seems impossible to do in the near future.