Humans infected with Salmonella usually get it from raw or undercooked meat, eggs, or poultry. It exists naturally in most animals, but is in higher numbers in bird and reptile species. If the bacteria isn't killed by sufficently high heat, it can be pathenogenic to humans upon ingestion. People who are elderly, young, or immunocompromised are at the highest risk of infection. As long as you take standard precautions this should never be a problem. Washing your hands and the surfaces which the turtle comes in contact with should prevent infection, however the aforementioned people are at higher risk. If it is any consolation, Salmonellosis is rarely fatal in healthy adults, even when untreated. Anyone who is interested in mor info can find it the center for disease control website.
www.cdc.gov
Nicole
Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:34 pm 
