Exposure to imported turtles poses a risk for infection with which organism?

Exposure to imported turtles poses a risk for infection with which organism?

• A. Rabies
• B. Mycobacterium
• C. Salmonella
• D. E. coli

Answer: (C)

Reptiles, including imported turtles, commonly carry Salmonella in their gut and shed it in their feces. Humans can become infected by handling the animal or anything the feces have touched, such as cages, water, or contaminated surfaces, and then touching the mouth. This is a well-established zoonotic risk with turtles, which is why Salmonella is the organism most strongly associated with exposure to imported turtles. Symptoms in people typically involve gastroenteritis—diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever—and young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk. In practice, emphasize thorough handwashing after handling any reptile, avoid allowing reptiles in kitchens or areas where food is prepared, and maintain clean enclosures to reduce contamination. Rabies is linked to bites from certain mammals, not turtles; Mycobacterium and E. coli can be found broadly but are not the classic reptile-associated risk highlighted by imported turtles.

Reptiles, including imported turtles, commonly carry Salmonella in their gut and shed it in their feces. Humans can become infected by handling the animal or anything the feces have touched, such as cages, water, or contaminated surfaces, and then touching the mouth. This is a well-established zoonotic risk with turtles, which is why Salmonella is the organism most strongly associated with exposure to imported turtles. Symptoms in people typically involve gastroenteritis—diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever—and young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk. In practice, emphasize thorough handwashing after handling any reptile, avoid allowing reptiles in kitchens or areas where food is prepared, and maintain clean enclosures to reduce contamination. Rabies is linked to bites from certain mammals, not turtles; Mycobacterium and E. coli can be found broadly but are not the classic reptile-associated risk highlighted by imported turtles.