No pet turtles for Xmas
Pet turtles can kill. Or make a bunch of kids barf.
North Carolina is the latest area to be hit -- after five kids got sick with salmonellosis after handling pet turtles.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) investigated the cluster of five cases – four in North Carolina (Burke, Lincoln, Union and Montgomery counties) and one in South Carolina (York County). Four of the children had positive cultures for salmonella. The fifth did not have a positive culture but was sick and had contact with a confirmed case. All five children have recovered, although one was hospitalized with kidney failure as a result of the infection. The children all got sick this past summer.
Veterinarians recently tested the Union County child’s pet turtle cage; it tested positive for the same strain of Salmonella that was responsible for the outbreak.
They may appear cute, but reptiles are Salmonella factories. And who knows what kids will do with them.
North Carolina is the latest area to be hit -- after five kids got sick with salmonellosis after handling pet turtles.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) investigated the cluster of five cases – four in North Carolina (Burke, Lincoln, Union and Montgomery counties) and one in South Carolina (York County). Four of the children had positive cultures for salmonella. The fifth did not have a positive culture but was sick and had contact with a confirmed case. All five children have recovered, although one was hospitalized with kidney failure as a result of the infection. The children all got sick this past summer.Veterinarians recently tested the Union County child’s pet turtle cage; it tested positive for the same strain of Salmonella that was responsible for the outbreak.
They may appear cute, but reptiles are Salmonella factories. And who knows what kids will do with them.
Four people had pregnancy complications after getting Listeria
The North Carolina Division of Public Health is warning pregnant women about the consumption of soft cheeses, hot dogs and deli-style meats and prepared salads after three cases of listeriosis were identified in Moore, Durham and Mecklenburg counties and a probable case was identified in Buncombe County.
.jpg)
The story says that two of the pregnant women miscarried after they contracted the infection. In a third case, the pregnant mom delivered early, but she and her baby are doing well. The probable case involves another pregnant woman who also lost her baby. All four had consumed soft cheeses from a variety of sources.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Engel said, "This is a tragedy, which could have been avoided. Listeriosis can be prevented by avoiding unpasteurized milk and other potentially contaminated food, especially among vulnerable people."
State Laboratory of Public Health testing showed different strains of the bacteria were involved and that one product doesn't seem to be the blame, and that's why public health officials issued a general Listeria warning.
The story says that two of the pregnant women miscarried after they contracted the infection. In a third case, the pregnant mom delivered early, but she and her baby are doing well. The probable case involves another pregnant woman who also lost her baby. All four had consumed soft cheeses from a variety of sources.State Epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Engel said, "This is a tragedy, which could have been avoided. Listeriosis can be prevented by avoiding unpasteurized milk and other potentially contaminated food, especially among vulnerable people."
State Laboratory of Public Health testing showed different strains of the bacteria were involved and that one product doesn't seem to be the blame, and that's why public health officials issued a general Listeria warning.
