In December 2020, CDC and public health officials in several states investigated an outbreak of salmonellosis associated with contact with small turtles. A total of 87 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Typhimurium (43 people) or Salmonella Poona (44 people) were reported from 20 states and the District of Columbia. Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 27, 2020 to July 30, 2021. Of 74 people with information available, 32 (43%) were hospitalized. One death was reported from Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health collected samples from a turtle habitat in a sick person’s home for testing and found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Orange County Health Care Agency in California collected samples from sick people’s turtles and turtle habitats for testing and found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Poona.

WGS of bacteria from both outbreaks, including 85 samples from sick people, 3 samples from turtles, and 6 samples from turtle habitats, did not predict any antibiotic resistance.