Health Department is investigating salmonella outbreak in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced in a news release that it is investigating nine laboratory-confirmed Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses. Acting Small Secretary of Health Alison Beam said the cases have been related to small pet turtles.

“While we continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of this investigation, the cause of these serious Salmonella cases has been linked to small pet turtles,” Beam said. “The majority of the cases have occurred in children living in the southeastern part of the state This is concerning, as Salmonella can be particularly serious for children,” stated the Secretary of Health.

Eight of the cases have affected Philadelphia or Delaware residents. Seven of the cases have impacted children, ranging between 0 to 10 years old. One adult death has occurred in which salmonellosis was one of the contributing factors.

You can read: City opened second mass COVID-19 vaccination center

Salmonellosis is a serious gastrointestinal tract infection. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. In addition, salmonellosis can cause severe illness as bloodstream infection, bone and joint infection and meningitis.

The disease can be particularly serious for young children, the elderly, and persons with weak immune systems.

DOH recommends that families with those at higher risk of invasive disease should avoid keeping turtles as pets.

Avoid pet turtles

The DOH news release informed that healthy turtles, are known to carry Salmonella and intermittently shed the bacteria in their feces throughout their lifespan. Humans can become infected with Salmonella through direct contact with turtles, turtle habitats, and through indirect contact by cross contamination of objects and surfaces.

Of the four people who reported the species of turtle in their home, all four reported small red-eared sliders. Of the four people who reported where they obtained their turtle, all four obtained their turtles from transient street or roadside vendors. Three of the reported vendors were located in Philadelphia.

Health officials said that anyone who has purchased a small pet turtle and became ill should contact their health care provider, their local health department or the Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).