TURTLE-ASSOCIATED SALMONELLOSIS

Abstract

Altman, R. (New Jersey State Hlth. Dept., PO Box 1540, Trenton, N.J. 08625), J. C. Gorman, L. L. Bernhardt and M. Goldfield. Turtle-associated salmonellosis. II. The relationship of pet turtles to salmonellosis in children in New Jersey. Am J Epidemiol 95: 518–520, 1972.—New Jersey families with a child aged 1 through 10 years with salmonellosis between January and June 1971 were interviewed to determine if they owned a pet turtle. Controls were families in the same neighborhood with children of the same age and sex as sahnonellosis cases. Of 124 families with a child with salmonellosis, 22.6% owned a turtle, compared with 5.7% of 248 control families. Infections due to Salmonella Java seemed particularly associated with turtles. Pet turtles were considered to be a significant health hazard for children because of their association with salmonellosis.