Eight Multistate Outbreaks of Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Small Turtles (Final Update)
These outbreaks appear to be over. However, small turtles continue to be an important cause of human Salmonella infections in the United States. More information about Salmonella from reptiles and amphibians and the steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection is available.
Key Resources
- Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
- General Information: Salmonella
- Digital Press Kit: Multistate Outbreaks of Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Small Turtles
- CDC Feature: Reptiles, Amphibians, and Salmonella
- In Spanish: Reptiles, Anfibios y la Salmonella
- Educational Poster (available in English, Spanish, French, and Chinese):
- Healthy Pets Healthy People
- The Trouble with Turtles [PODCAST - 4:30 minutes]
- Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine: Salmonella and turtle safety
- Relevant MMWRs
- Outbreak of Human Salmonella Paratyphi B var L(+) tartrate (+) Infections Associated with Pet Turtle Exposure – United States, 2011
- Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Associated with Aquatic Frogs—United States, 2009
- Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Associated with Pet Turtle Exposure --- United States, 2008
- Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Infections Associated with Exposure to Turtles—United States, 2007–2008
- Turtle-Associated Salmonellosis in Humans—United States, 2006–2007
- Salmonellosis Associated with Pet Turtles—Wisconsin and Wyoming, 2004
- Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis—Selected States, 1998-2002
- Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis—Selected States, 1996-1998
- Lizard-Associated Salmonellosis—Utah
- Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with Animals in Public Settings, 2011 [PDF - 1.33MB]
- Appendix C: Hand-Washing Recommendations to Reduce Disease Transmission from Animals in Public Settings
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Related Links
- Multistate Foodborne Outbreaks
- Gastrointestinal (Enteric) Diseases from Animals
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases
- Foodborne Illness A-Z
- Estimates of Foodborne Illness
- Foodsafety.gov
- Report a Foodborne Illness
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service