Do Turtles Carry Diseases? [Hidden Dangers]

I am isolating a few of my turtles because they have been sick for some days. Sick turtles can be a potential threat to other turtles. When I called my doctor for immediate treatment, he told me to isolate them. Since then, I have been thinking, do turtles carry diseases?

Turtles carry diseases like salmonella, E. coli, ranavirus, parasitic germs, shell rot, and herpesvirus. Most of these diseases are transmittable and can sometimes infect healthy turtles, reptiles, and humans.

But are these infections curable? Or is it possible to prevent these potential bacterial infections? If you want to keep the turtles and yourself safe from the dangers, keep reading to find everything about the transmittable diseases of turtles.

Key Highlights

• According to some studies, turtles can carry dangerous bacterial transmissions.
• They are affected by zoonotic bacteria that cause salmonella.
• Besides these germ agents, turtles also carry respiratory infections, parasitic infections, ranavirus, shell rot, herpesvirus, mycobacteriosis, and E. coli.
• Salmonella transmits through feces, food, and water.
• This disease can infect humans and other animals.
• Turtles can be infected with E. coli and spread it to their fellow turtles.
• They can carry allergens that can cause allergic reactions in humans.

Do Turtles Carry Harmful Diseases?

Turtles can carry various contagious diseases and harmful bacteria infections. When I began with turtles, I had no idea about their diseases. One of my female turtles was sick due to bacterial agents. I was so afraid that I took her to the vet as soon as possible.

Domestic reptiles like tortoises and turtles are the source of zoonotic bacteria, and it can be the reason for salmonella infections. Baby turtles are affected by salmonella. That’s why the United States banned selling or keeping tiny turtles at home.

Thus, the researchers find these germs harmful to humans, especially kids. Along with these dangerous bacterial infections, sea turtles can transmit Mycobacterium and parasites. Some of their diseases can be spread to other animals and humans. 

However, symptoms of these diseases aren’t visible enough underwater to take precautions. Cats, dogs, rodents, and more pets can carry these germs or virus diseases. You need to monitor their activities when they don’t act normally.

A 2023 salmonella outbreak was linked to pet turtles, affecting 33 people across multiple states according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (source).

What Kind Of Diseases Do Turtles Carry?

Turtles can carry a variety of diseases, not only bacterial infections. I’ve found some serious diseases that turtles can carry with symptoms and effects. This table will help you to learn about the transmittable diseases of turtles.

Disease	Agents	Causes	Symptoms	Cure
Respiratory infections	Mycoplasma, pseudomonas, Aeromonas	Poor environment, temperature issues	Heavy breathing, sudden nasal discharge	Prescribed antibiotics from the vet
Salmonella	Salmonella genus	Inadequate hygiene,  improper handling, fecal shedding	Diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite	Sanitize the tank properly, keep the affected turtles in isolation, and follow the vet’s instructions
Mycobacteriosis	Different species of Mycobacterium	Polluted water	Lethargy, joint swelling, weight loss, breathing issues, digestive problems	Isolating sick turtles, taking them to the vet, medicating, change the tank water
Shell rot	Fungi	Dirty water quality, insufficient basking area	Soft and discolored shell, bad smell	Prescribed antifungal ointment, changing water
Parasitic infections	Parasites	Diarrhea or abnormal feces and inactiveness	Bad hygiene practices, low-quality water, and food	Anti-parasitic medicines
Ranavirus	Iridoviridae	Interaction with affected animals, ecosystem imbalance	Change in behaviour, swelling, laziness	Proper medication, supportive care
Herpesvirus	Herpesviridae	Living with susceptible turtles, stress, and poor environment	Swimming irregularities, drastic weight loss, idleness	Ensure proper sanitary system, good quality food, vet-prescribed medicines
E.coli	Diverse bacterias	Poor husbandry practices, polluted food, low-quality habitat	Diarrhea, weak shells, anorexia	Adequate diagnosis and treatment, give good hydration and balanced nutrition

Why Do Small Turtles Carry Salmonella?

Small turtles can usually be affected by several bacterial agents. Salmonella is the most common disease and contagious in reptiles. It can infect aquatic sea turtles, domestic box turtles, red eared sliders, and other reptile species as well.

Moreover, overcrowded tanks or ponds can be one of the reasons for salmonella. If the turtles live with other infected animals, this bacterial infection can spread to other turtles and even to humans.

Hence, turtles can catch the salmonella germs through feces, food, water, and poor habitats. They carry these bacteria in their digestive tracts. Sometimes, you can’t even understand the symptoms as these germs aren’t visible in turtles.

How Likely Is It To Get Salmonella From A Turtle?

The chances of getting salmonella from a turtle in humans. Salmonella infection is the carrier of the zoonoses bacteria family. According to WHO, zoonoses is a transmissible bacteria that can spread from reptiles and amphibians to humans.

Salmonella symptoms from turtles are diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal cramps, and severe fever. Around 200 people were affected with salmonella outbreaks linked to small turtles in 2015 and 2016.

Yet, the symptoms are visible within 12 to 72 hours when it infects humans. Most of the time, humans recover within 3 to 6 days without medication.  But with medication, it can be dismissed quickly. 

How To Prevent Salmonella From Turtles?

Whenever I get a new turtle, I make sure to check whether they’re carrying any diseases or not. But that’s not enough. It’s necessary to take some precautions to avoid these bacterial infections. Here are some techniques to stop getting salmonella from turtles. 

• Maintain proper hygiene and wash your hands every time you touch turtles.
• Clean and sanitize the turtle’s tank regularly.
• Monitor turtle’s activities and interactions.
• Separate the infected turtles from others.
• Avoid direct contact with affected turtles.

If you want to learn more about the prevention of Salmonella from turtles, then this article will help you with the detailed discussions. 

A study published in 2021 found that marine leech parasitism of sea turtles varies depending on host species, seasons, and the tumor disease fibropapillomatosis (source).

What Are Reasons For Turtles Carrying E.coli?

Another most common bacterial disease in turtles is E. coli. Like salmonella, turtles also carry E. coli in their gastrointestinal or digestive tracts.  Not all of the germs of E.coli are harmful, so it’s one of the regular parts of their health.

Poor environmental conditions are responsible for E. coli in turtles. When the water is polluted with E.coli fecal elements, it can be transmitted to turtles too. If you can’t handle your turtles properly and maintain their regular habitats, these germs can spread into turtles.

When turtles are under stress, it weakens their immune system and stamina. For this reason, the virus causes potential health risks to turtles.  Thus, zoonotic transmission can be the source of E. coli, and it can affect humans.

How To Get Rid Of E.coli In Turtles?

If you find the symptoms of E. coli in your turtles, you should take them to the vet as early as possible. But only the vet can’t fix your turtle’s health. You also should take care of the turtles and ensure some prevention tips for E. coli.

Tunu, one of my red eared sliders, got affected by E. coli. I was scared as I’d never experienced these problems with my turtles. However, I took the turtle to the regular for proper guidance. I’ve isolated the affected turtles from the healthy ones.

Moreover, I’ve cleaned the debris and food particles and disinfected the tank with a mild turtle-safe sanitizer. To avoid bacterial infections, I regularly clean and filter the water to ensure good hygiene. These steps will be enough to keep your turtles safe from E. coli transmission.

Can Turtles Cause Allergies In Humans?

According to Chinese medical journals, soft-shelled turtles can be potential allergenic offenders. The primary source causing human allergies is the protein agents turtles carry in their feces, urine, skin, and saliva. These agents are potential allergens that can trigger humans.

Turtles and humans can get asthma, itching, sneezing, and nasal issues from it. It also causes breathing difficulties, watery eyes, and skin rashes.  If you find yourself affected by the allergens of turtles, you need to visit a skin specialist as soon as you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Turtles Make Other Turtles Sick?

Turtles can make other turtles sick with some contagious diseases. It can spread through their saliva and urine. Along with these, it can be transmitted during mating, fighting, and sharing habitats.

Can Turtles Cause Respiratory Problems In Humans?

If humans get in touch with salmonella-infected turtles, it can cause respiratory infections in humans. Additionally, the harmful allergens of turtles can be responsible for respiratory or breathing issues in humans.

Is Turtle Bite Poisonous?

Turtle bite isn’t poisonous. Some wild turtles can carry infectious bacteria that can cause infections. The snapping turtles have strong jaws, and their bite can be painful. Thus, turtles usually bite when they feel provoked and threatened.

Before You Go…

All transmittable diseases of turtles aren’t harmful to humans. But some of them aren’t severe for turtles as well. I’ve broadly discussed salmonella and E. coli because these cause serious health issues in humans and other creatures.

As a responsible turtle owner, you should know about the diseases of turtles and quick treatments. The articles below can give you a comprehensive idea of turtle’s health.

Metabolic Bone Disease In Tortoise: Symptoms, Prevention & Cure

Turtle Eye Diseases: Types, Symptoms, Prevention And Cure