Bearded Dragons Culprit In Salmonella Outbreak In 25 States: CDC

ACROSS AMERICA — More than 40 people in 25 states have been sickened with salmonella infections tied to pet bearded dragons, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.

Fifteen of the salmonella cases were serious enough to require hospitalization, the CDC said. The agency is opening an investigation into the outbreak, and it warned that salmonella can spread quickly because bearded dragons carry salmonella in their droppings.

Affected states and the number salmonella illnesses they’ve reported as a result of handling or coming in contact with the reptiles include:

• Alabama: 1
• Arkansas: 2
• California: 3
• Connecticut: 1
• Florida: 1
• Kansas: 1
• Louisiana: 1
• Massachusetts: 1
• Minnesota: 1
• Missouri: 1
• Montana: 2
• Nebraska: 1
• Nevada: 2
• New Mexico: 1
• New York: 1
• Oregon: 3
• Pennsylvania: 2
• Rhode Island: 3
• South Carolina: 1
• South Dakota: 2
• Texas: 2
• Utah: 2
• Virginia: 1
• Washington: 4
• Wisconsin: 4

The CDC said frequent hand-washing with soap and hot water is important when feeding bearded dragons or cleaning the areas where they live and roam, and to make sure that children do the same. Also:

• To reduce the risk of spreading salmonella germs to your mouth and getting sick, don’t kiss or snuggle the bearded dragon, and don’t eat or drink around it.
• Keep your bearded dragon out of your kitchen and other areas where you eat, store or prepare food.
• Keep bearded dragon feeders, toys, and food and water containers outside if possible.
• Don’t clean bearded supplies in the kitchen or other areas where you eat or prepare food. Use a laundry sink or bathtub, and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area right afterward.

The CDC said that anyone with severe symptoms — diarrhea, fever, vomiting and dehydration — after being in contact with a bearded dragon should call their health care provider right away.