08/04/2011

CITY OF WILKES-BARRE WARNS RESIDENTS OF PURCHASING ANIMALS FROM NON-AUTHORIZED SELLERS

WILKES-BARRE - The City of Wilkes-Barre reminds all residents and visitors to the city that the purchase of any animals from non-authorized sellers is strictly prohibited. The city has been alerted of a recent case where a person was exposed to salmonella after buying a turtle from an unidentified person in a parking lot off of South Main Street. Turtles are permitted to be sold by licensed pet sellers and must be larger than 4 inches in diameter. Any purchases of animals by non-reputable sellers carry a significant danger of transferring communicable diseases to the public such as Salmonella.

 

Symptoms of Salmonella can include diarrhea (which can be bloody), fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Symptoms usually last about four to seven days. People can contract Salmonella from a turtle not from a bite or scratch, as with other animal-borne infections. Instead, many turtles have the Salmonella bacteria, which occur naturally in turtles, on their outer skin and shell.

 

The city asks any person with information regarding this incident including a physical description of the seller to contact the Wilkes-Barre Police Department at 570-826-8114. Anyone who has purchased a turtle in Wilkes-Barre is asked to contact the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department at 570-208-4268.


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