The 11 States Where You're Most at Risk for Salmonella

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned on Friday that an 11-state outbreak of salmonella has been linked to small turtles. Pet turtles of any size can carry salmonella, even if they appear healthy and clean. Twenty-six people have been sickened, and nine have been hospitalized. Read to find out more about the outbreak and the 11 states most affected.

Salmonella infection can be spread by food, water, contact with infected animals, and occasionally person to person. The bacteria leads to about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the U.S. every year. Salmonella symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms start six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days. If you experience signs of salmonella infection, contact your healthcare provider. 

With six cases, Tennessee has been hit hardest by the outbreak, which was discovered in October of last year. New cases have been reported almost every month since then, WFXB reported.

Pennsylvania has seen the second-most number of cases in the outbreak, with four. Nationwide, since the outbreak was first reported last October, the average age of people who became ill is 14, and 31% of patients have been younger than 5.

Three cases of turtle-related salmonella have been reported so far in the Empire State. The CDC says turtles with shells less than four inches long are more likely to spread the bacteria, and they should not be purchased as pets. "Reputable pet stores do not sell turtles with shells less than four inches long," the agency says.

As of Sunday, two cases related to the outbreak have been reported in the Peach State. Those with pet turtles should wash their hands after handling and feeding the animals, the CDC recommends. Avoid kissing or snuggling the turtles. 

Two cases have been reported in Illinois. Experts say turtles should be kept out of the kitchen and other areas where people eat, store or prepare food, especially when their living structures or accessories are being cleaned. 

Two cases have also been seen in North Carolina. Experts advise that people with compromised immune systems should not keep turtles in their homes. Salmonella illness may be Illnesses may be more severe for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immunity.

Two related cases of turtle-related salmonella have been reported in Ohio.

Virginia has also seen two cases of turtle-related salmonella since the outbreak began last fall. The state has also experienced two other outbreaks of salmonella this year related to flour and ground cumin, which resulted in some brands of those products being recalled.

One case has been reported in Missouri. In May, one person in the state was sickened by salmonella related to raw cookie dough from the popular pizza chain Papa Murphy's. The restaurant stopped selling the dessert, which it said should always be baked.

Officials say one turtle-related case has been seen in Kentucky. 

The Golden State has registered one case of turtle-related salmonella since the start of the outbreak. 

If you no longer want to keep a pet turtle, don't release it into the wild. Contact a local wildlife rescue or animal shelter, which can help rehome your pet.