3 sickened by pet turtles

Connecticut is one of 13 states hit by a salmonella outbreak linked to pet turtles.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37 people have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agbeni, including three from Connecticut. Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 1 to Aug. 3. Of the 33 peo- ple with available information, 16 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The outbreak — which includes 12 cases in children 5 and younger — has been connected to contact with turtles. The CDC reports that 15 of those who fell ill reported contact with turtles or their environment, such as water from a turtle habitat, before getting sick.

Some of those interviewed report buying a turtle from a flea market or street vendor, or getting the turtle as a gift.

Since 1975, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned selling and distributing turtles with shells less than four inches long as pets because they are often linked to salmonella infections, especially in young children. According to the CDC, all turtles, regardless of size, can carry salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean.

The CDC cautions against buying small turtles as pets or give them as gifts. For those who do come into contact with small turtles, handwashing is the best way to prevent illness. Hands should be washed with soap and water immediately after handling or caring for small turtles or their tanks, officials said.

This outbreak is expected to continue, since consumers might be unaware of the risk of salmonella infection from small turtles.