Posted: July 11th, 2010 - 3:54pm by Doug Powell

There’s always a national outbreak of something going on. And in addition to food, there’s often outbreaks of disease linked to turtles.

The Gazette Online reports state health officials are warning Iowans about touching reptiles after two Eastern Iowans contracted salmonella.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, the two illnesses could be associated with a national outbreak linked to exposure to snakes, turtles, lizards or other reptiles.

Department spokeswoman Polly Carver-Kimm said the two patients contracted the illness – Salmonella Typhimurium – between May 22 and June 13.

And don’t kiss turtles.