Turtle-associated salmonellosis: I. AN estimation OF the MAGNITUDE of THE problem IN the UNITED states, 1970-1971

Lamm, S. H., A. Taylor, Jr., E. J. Gangarosa (CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30333), H. W. Anderson, W. Young, M. H. Clark and A. R. Bruce. Turtle-associated salmonellosis. I. An estimation of the magnitude of the problem in the U.S., 1970-71. Am J Epidemiol 95: 511-517, 1972.-To determine the magnitude of turtle-associated salmonellosis, surveys were conducted in 5 areas. Of cases of salmonellosis in Connecticut, 24% were turtle-associated compared with an association of 2% in the control group. Uncontrolled studies in Utah, in Atlanta, Georgia, in Santa Clara County, California, and in the Seattle area of Washington showed an association of 16, 9.2, 18, and 11.5%, respectively. A previously reported uncontrolled study in Minneapolis-St. Paul showed an association of 25% and a recently completed, well controlled study in New Jersey indicated that 22.6% of salmonellosis cases in children were turtle-associated compared with 5.7% in the control group. Based on these data, we estimate approximately 280,000 cases of turtle-associated salmonellosis occurred in the U.S. in 1970 and 1971 with related medical expenses amounting to millions of dollars. A decrease in the incidence of salmonellosis in the age groups most at risk and a marked decrease in turtle-associated cases of salmonellosis ensued following a regulation in 1968 by the State of Washington controlling the sale of turtles. Based on the magnitude of the problem and the apparent effectiveness of the Washington regulation, it is recommended that all political jurisdictions take appropriate regulatory action to prevent the sale of salmonella-contaminated turtles within their borders.