“Not counting the crimes, crime is down.”
Grand Rapids Anonymous
Friday, September 01, 2017
Turtles are Not Your Friends: Dozens Sick from Handling Turtles; Children under 5 Hardest Hit
By “W”
I’m “pro-turtles” but have never had one as a pet. A time or two I have picked one up that was too close to the road and tossed it into the water. I doubt I’ll do that again, in view of the risks outlined here.
Horrors! Salmonella in turtles! Just like the salmonella in the chicken you bought at the supermarket and ate for supper--or in the eggs, turkey, and innumerable other foods today. And like the salmonella in the pet chickens your trendy neighbors are keeping--urban chickens are so fashionable. In a little over a year between 2015 and 2016 133 people were infected with salmonella from turtles and geckos. In contrast an estimated 20 million people are infected with salmonella from food every year. So you are about 150,000 times more likely to get salmonella from food than reptiles. As a boy I had pet turtles and many wild ones I would keep for a short time and release. I also helped turtles cross roads. I never got sick. Just wash your hands well, and girls, don't kiss them. Turtles don't turn into princes like frogs (which may also carry salmonella).
Horrors! Salmonella in turtles! Just like the salmonella in the chicken you bought at the supermarket and ate for supper--or in the eggs, turkey, and innumerable other foods today. And like the salmonella in the pet chickens your trendy neighbors are keeping--urban chickens are so fashionable.
ReplyDeleteIn a little over a year between 2015 and 2016 133 people were infected with salmonella from turtles and geckos. In contrast an estimated 20 million people are infected with salmonella from food every year. So you are about 150,000 times more likely to get salmonella from food than reptiles.
As a boy I had pet turtles and many wild ones I would keep for a short time and release. I also helped turtles cross roads. I never got sick. Just wash your hands well, and girls, don't kiss them. Turtles don't turn into princes like frogs (which may also carry salmonella).