Pet turtles making kids sick

[Hum]

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of Salmonella cases linked to tiny breeds of the reptile (it's not an amphibian!) is on the rise. As of last week, there are six current outbreaks of the bacteria-borne illness directly linked to exposure to the illegal contraband. Yes pet turtles are illegal.

Ever since 1975, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed a nationwide ban on sales of the amphibians-with shells 4 inches or smaller. After a spike in Salmonella-related sicknesses, the little guys were found to be breeders of the bacteria.

Here's how it happens: They release the bacteria when they relieve themselves (that's a fancy way of saying turtle poop). Remnants of the Salmonella strain live on their shells and get transferred to human hands and mouths easily.

"Young children are ingenious in constructing ways to infect themselves," says Joseph C. Paige, D.V.M., a Consumer Safety Officer in the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, in a statement to press. "They put the small turtles in their mouths or, more often, they touch the turtles or dangle their fingers in the turtle tank water and then put their hands in their mouths. Also, sometimes the tanks and reptile paraphernalia are cleaned in the kitchen sink, and food and eating utensils get cross-contaminated."

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[remixedcat]

yeah... kids that don't got an immune system cuz thier parents have em livin in a bubble.... never once got sick touchin a turtle....

also some LOLz:

there was a wifi AP SSID with the name "ifoundyourturtle" I saw a couple three days ago... :p:

[Growled Member]

Parents should know better but you know how parents are these days.

[abysal]

[Hum]

Parents should know better but you know how parents are these days.

'Cuz they're licking toads :p

[Osiris]

Hrmm interesting I think I may have considered turtles to be amphibians, but this thread caused me to look around for some answers. Just in case any one else is wondering, this short spiel here has some of the characteristics which cause it to not apply:

Turtles are reptiles which can live in water or on land. Turtles aren't amphibious; most turtles cannot breath water at any stage of their life cycle, but the common musk turtle has tiny specialized bumps on their tongue called papillae that allow these turtles to draw in oxygen through them.

Also, the side-necked turtles of Australia have specialised cavities in their rear, known as cloacal bursae, to draw in water and remove the oxygen.

[John S. Veteran]

I had a couple of these when I was a kid before they passed the law. Once dad heard the details of the new law and salmonella, he made me set them free in the creek at the back of our property. I remember crying and wondering what salmon had to do with my turtles. :laugh:

[Growled Member]

I remember crying and wondering what salmon had to do with my turtles. :laugh:

LOL, I bet. :D