CDC warns against kissing or snuggling turtles amid salmonella outbreak linked to small turtles

Recent salmonella outbreak has sickened 26 people across 11 states and led to 9 hospitalizations.
The CDC advises not kissing, snuggling, or touching turtles without washing hands afterwards.
The agency also recommends not eating or drinking around turtles.
Turtles with shells less than 4 inches have been banned as pets since 1975 but are still sold illegally.
The CDC recommends contacting local rescue centers rather than releasing unwanted turtles into the wild.