title: Notes from the Field: Four Multistate Outbreaks of Human Salmonella Infections Linked to Small Turtle Exposure - United States, 2015.
abstract: In August 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified CDC of a consumer complaint involving Salmonella Sandiego infection in a child (the index patient), who had acquired a small turtle (shell length <4 inches [<10 cm]) at an Alabama flea market. The subsequent investigation, which included examining data from PulseNet, the national molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, identified four multistate Salmonella outbreaks: two involving Salmonella Sandiego and two involving Salmonella Poona. These serotypes have been linked to small turtles in previous outbreaks (1,2). Although selling small turtles as pets in the United States has been banned since 1975 (3), illegal sales still occur at discount stores and flea markets and by street vendors. CDC investigated to determine the extent of the outbreaks and prevent additional infections.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gambino-Shirley
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wargo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burnworth
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Duyne
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: Megin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nichols
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057805:Pets / Q000382:microbiology*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D014426:Turtles / Q000382:microbiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult