The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning about an outbreak of salmonella poisoning connected to a species of lizard often used as a pet.
The states impacted by the outbreak include California, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Iowa, Georgia, Oklahoma, and North Carolina.
“Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean,” the CDC said. “These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam.”
It warned that people can get sick from salmonella, a type of bacteria, by “touching your bearded dragon or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing salmonella germs.”
People handing bearded dragons or touching their habitats should wash their hands with soap and water afterward, the agency said. People should also be advised not to kiss or cuddle with the lizard.
The agency added that people should avoid eating and drinking near the reptiles, and keep them away from areas where young children play or eat. It also recommends that people have a dedicated enclosure for the pet lizards and to clean the pet supplies outside the house.
“If you must clean the supplies indoors, don’t clean them 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 after,” the CDC said.
They are commonly sold at pet stores across the United States, including Petco, PetSmart, and more.
But, according to the CDC notice, bearded dragons “are not recommended for families with children younger than five years old, adults 65 years of age and older, or people with weakened immune systems.” It’s because “these people are more likely to get a serious illness from germs that reptiles can carry,” the agency warned.
Salmonella Symptoms
Health authorities say Salmonella infections may cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.Salmonella can sometimes enter the bloodstream, causing more significant illnesses such as endocarditis, arthritis, and arterial infections. In rare cases, the bacterial infections can be fatal, state and federal officials say.
Young children, older people, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk of developing severe illness.
The CDC and state health department also advised consumers to call their health care provider right away if they have more severe symptoms, including a fever higher than 102 degrees F in combination with diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, diarrhea for more than three days without signs of improvement, so much vomiting that they can’t drink liquids, as well as signs of dehydration. That includes dry mouth, dry throat, not as much urination, and feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing.
Symptoms of the bacterial infection tend to start between six hours and six days after a person consumes the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment in four to seven days, officials say.
Antibiotics are often used to treat people with severe salmonella infections, while patients with diarrhea are advised to drink more fluids.
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