Salmonella Outbreak in Washington Linked To Pet Bearded Dragons

SEATTLE — Bad news for lizard lovers: Four Washingtonians are among more than 40 people in 25 states who have been sickened with salmonella infections in an outbreak federal health officials tied to pet bearded dragons.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that 15 of the salmonella cases were serious enough to require hospitalization. The agency said it is opening an investigation into the outbreak, and warned that salmonella can spread quickly because bearded dragons carry salmonella in their droppings.

Other affected states and the number salmonella illnesses they’ve reported as a result of handling 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
• 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.