Individuals who live or come into contact with Bearded Dragons continue to face the risk of Salmonella infection. The uncommon strain of Salmonella bacteria, called Salmonella Cotham, which infected at least 27 Americans last year is still spreading.
According to a CDC investigation, 72% of people infected had contact with a bearded dragon or lizard in their home or a household they visited in the week prior to the start of symptoms. About two-thirds of cases (65%) were kids less than 5 years old.
Some of the children did not directly contact the animals but were exposed through indirect contamination.
Two of six parents interviewed by the researchers reported that their pet reptiles roamed freely in the house, and two parents said they washed baby bottles in the same sink as reptile supplies. None of the parents interviewed were aware that the animals could spread Salmonella bacteria.
“Caregivers should prevent young children from indirect reptile contact by restricting reptiles from roaming freely, separating reptiles and supplies from food preparation areas, and washing hands and changing clothes after handling reptiles and before holding infants”, CDC health officials said.
2024 was not the first year that Bearded Dragons were the source of a Salmonella outbreak. Between 2012-2014, 160 Salmonella cases were linked to Bearded Dragons.
Full Story: CIDRAP
