Salmonella paratyphy B and Salmonella lithcfield outbreaks associated with petturtle exporure in Spain

Introduction: Salmonellosis is an important public health problem. Turtles are increasingly involved in the role of transmitters of this infection to humans. Methods: Salmonella cases are reported to the local Surveillance Agency where interviews are carriedout to address possible exposures. Molecular epidemiology techniques were used to identify species. Results: In this article we report two examples of this type of infection in two places, 300 km apart in Spain. In Barcelona a turtle transmitted the disease to a small baby via her mother, and in Castellón 5 related cases of Salmonella infections were detected, and all were transmitted by imported turtles. Molecular epidemiology techniques confirmed the turtle-person transmissions and showed strong relationships between cases in Castellón and Barcelona. Discussion: These examples represent the tip of the iceberg of what is happening with pet reptiles as regards transmission of this infection. We believe that it is important to assess the impact of this type of infection in each country, in order to subsequently promote prevention strategies such as: regulations for pet shops, and educating/informing families who buy reptiles as pets (AU)

Introducción: La salmonelosis es un problema con un impacto importante en salud pública. Cada día es más importante el papel de las tortugas como transmisoras de esta enfermedad. Métodos: Los casos de salmonelosis son notiflcados a las Agencias de Vigilancia locales que realizan las encuestas pertinentes para valorar fuentes de exposición. Técnicas de epidemiologia molecular son utilizadas para identiflcar las especies. Resultados: En este artículo exponemos ejemplos de este tipo de transmisión en dos puntos de España que distan 300 km. En Barcelona una tortuga transmitió la enfermedad a un bebé a través de su madrey en Castellón se registraron cinco casos de infecciones por Salmonella, todos ellos provocados por el contacto con tortugas. La epidemiologia molecular permitió conflrmar la transmisión tortuga persona y así como una fuerte relación entre los casos de Barcelona y Castellón. Discusión: Estos ejemplos representan la punta del Iceberg en cuanto al papel de los reptiles en la transmisión de Salmonella. Creemos que evaluar el impacto de esta transmisión en los países es básico para poder aplicar y promover medidas preventivas. Normativas específlcas en los puntos de venta de reptiles así como información y educación de las familias que pretenden comprar un animal de este tipo podrían ser muy útiles para disminuir el impacto de esta transmisión (AU)

Salmonella paratyphi B and Salmonella litchfield outbreaks associated with pet turtle exposure in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Salmonellosis is an important public health problem. Turtles are increasingly involved in the role of transmitters of this infection to humans. METHODS: Salmonella cases are reported to the local Surveillance Agency where interviews are carried out to address possible exposures. Molecular epidemiology techniques were used to identify species. RESULTS: In this article we report two examples of this type of infection in two places, 300 km apart in Spain. In Barcelona a turtle transmitted the disease to a small baby via her mother, and in Castellón 5 related cases of Salmonella infections were detected, and all were transmitted by imported turtles. Molecular epidemiology techniques confirmed the turtle-person transmissions and showed strong relationships between cases in Castellón and Barcelona. DISCUSSION: These examples represent the tip of the iceberg of what is happening with pet reptiles as regards transmission of this infection. We believe that it is important to assess the impact of this type of infection in each country, in order to subsequently promote prevention strategies such as: regulations for pet shops, and educating/informing families who buy reptiles as pets.