Pet turtles are making Americans across the country sick to their stomach.
Nearly two dozen people have been hospitalized as a result, though none have died.
The first known casesdate backto August 2023, while the latest were reported earlier this July.
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There are two concurrent strains tied to the outbreaks:SalmonellaStanley andSalmonellaPoona.
Most cases have involved the former.
There are currently 51 reported cases along with 23 hospitalizations as of August 16.
But as is often true with these sorts of outbreaks, the actual toll of illness is probably worse.
Turtles and other reptiles routinely carrySalmonellastrains that can potentially make us sick, even if theyre healthy and clean.
Those turtles with shells less than 4 inches long are an especially common vector of these bacteria.
This added risk is why small turtles are federally banned from being sold and distributed in the country.
About 26,500 Americans areestimatedto be hospitalized by the bug every year, while over 400 die from it.
Serious infections are more common in the very young, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
So for those less inclined to risk catchingSalmonella, more conventional pets look to be the safer bet.
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