CDC announces investigation into Salmonella outbreak linked to bearded dragons
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced this week the investigation into a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to bearded dragons.
Officials have received reports of 15 Salmonella Cotham illnesses linked to bearded dragons across 9 states- New York (4), Ohio (3), California (2) and one case each in Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Four people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data showed that contact with pet bearded dragons made people sick in this outbreak.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from the same type of animal. WGS also showed that this Salmonella Cotham strain is genetically closely related to a Salmonella Cotham strain which caused an outbreak from 2012–2014 and was linked to bearded dragon exposure.
People in this outbreak reported purchasing bearded dragons at multiple retail locations.
60% of sick people are children under 5 years old. Bearded dragons are not recommended as pets for children younger than 5, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems because these people are more likely to get a serious illness from germs that reptiles carry.
Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean.
You can get sick from touching your bearded dragon or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs.
CDC advises that you always take steps to stay healthy around bearded dragons:
Wash your hands after handling bearded dragons, their food, or items in their environment.
Don’t kiss or snuggle bearded dragons.
Keep bearded dragons out of the kitchen or anywhere that food is prepared, stored, served, or eaten and away from areas where young children play.
Keep its supplies and habitat clean.
Limit young children’s contact with bearded dragons.
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized.