The CDC warns against 'kissing or snuggling' reptiles after a Salmonella outbreak has been linked to them.
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Salmonella Uganda, which has been connected to pet bearded dragons, has infected at least 44 people in 25 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A typical pet reptile could be to blame for a Salmonella outbreak spread across the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking into a Salmonella Uganda epidemic that has sickened at least 44 people in 25 states. 21 (64 percent) of the 33 afflicted people interviewed had recently come into touch with a bearded dragon or its supplies.
Because many people with Salmonella recover without medical attention and are not tested for it, the number of infected persons could be more significant.
The majority of the outbreak cases were documented in Washington and Wisconsin (four from each). The affected range in age from one to 84, with eight points in children under five. At least 15 people have been hospitalized due to the outbreak since it began on December 24, 2020. There have been no deaths reported.
In November, the Oregon Health Authority took samples from an infected person's pet bearded dragon. Salmonella was found in the samples, comparable to the pathogen found in patients linked to the outbreak.
Even if they appear in good health, bearded dragons can transmit Salmonella germs in their droppings. The germs can then spread to their bodies, as well as the regions where they dwell and roam, as well as anyone who comes into contact with the reptile before touching its mouth. Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, among other symptoms.
According to the CDC, bearded dragon owners should wash their hands after handling their pets or equipment and keep their reptiles' environments clean. According to the government office, animal enthusiasts are also advised not to "kiss or snuggle" bearded dragons or eat or drink around them.
Bearded dragons are not recommended as pets for children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65, or those with compromised immune systems, as they are more prone to contract a severe illness from the germs carried by reptiles.
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