Twenty-one people in 13 states, including Washington, have been infected with a salmonella strain linked to pet turtles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Seven people have been hospitalized.
The CDC says turtles can carry salmonella germs in their droppings. So, even though your pet looks healthy, these germs can easily spread to their bodies, tank water and habitats.
In August, the CDC updated its ongoing investigation of salmonella infections linked to backyard chickens and ducks. As of Aug. 30, 1,003 people have been infected, and 175 have been hospitalized. Two people have died. The deaths were in Texas and Ohio.