Bearded Dragons Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
Bearded dragons linked to salmonella outbreak, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported, after tracing a two-year-old salmonella outbreak throughout the United States. The CDC has also stated that these pet lizards were purchased from a number of stores in multiple states.
132 People in 31 States Sickened by Salmonella Outbreak
The salmonella outbreak is relatively small. In two years (2012 – 2014), 132 people had been sickened in 31 States. These States, in alphabetical order, include Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The largest number of cases were reported in California (24), New York (11), and Wisconsin (12).
According to CDC researchers, the sickness is being caused by a rare serotype of salmonella, Salmonella cotham, which typically causes fewer than 25 reported infections in the U.S. each year.
Over half (58 percent) of those infected were children under five years of age, less than half of those sickened required hospitalization, and no deaths have been reported.
CDC’s Advice to Pet Reptile Owners
The CDC offers the following recommendations for protecting yourself and your family – especially children and people who suffer from auto immune deficiencies – from contact with reptile-related salmonella bacteria:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds immediately after touching reptiles or any item they might have touched or that is in their habitat, including their food. Supervise young children to insure they wash their hands thoroughly.
- Don’t allow reptiles in food or drink prep areas, or where human consumables are served or stored.
- Don’t let reptiles roam freely in the house.
- Don’t touch your mouth after handling reptiles, and don’t eat or drink around them.
- Avoid bathing reptiles in the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, or bathtubs. Designate a separate tub or bin exclusively for reptile bathing.
- Take all equipment and materials used in the care of reptiles outside the house for cleaning. This includes tanks, feed and water containers, and items used for bathing.
- Use soap or a disinfectant to thoroughly clean all surfaces that have been in contact with reptiles.
- Children under five, older adults, people with weakened immune systems and pregnant women should not handle or touch reptiles, or anything in their habitats.
- Reptiles should not be kept in childcare centers, nursery schools or any facility with children younger than five years of age.
READ: Bearded Dragon Care Sheet
Note: According to the Center for Disease Control, the pet trade industry is working with public health officials to determine the source of the bearded dragons linked to Salmonella outbreak.
Pet Lizard Bearded Dragons Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
Stay Calm and Keep Loving your Dragon!
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I hope you have enjoyed, “Pet Lizard Bearded Dragons Linked to Salmonella Outbreak“
FOR YOUR INFORMATION (FYI): Like dogs and cats, healthy, clean reptiles may naturally harbor salmonella bacteria, and while it doesn’t make them sick, this same bacteria can be a source of human salmonella infections.
You might also like to read, Information About Bearded Dragons, Pagona Genus
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Her own animal experience is vast, having raised and rescued Alpine Goats, Chickens, Turkeys, Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs, Turtles, Raccoons, Cats, Dogs, and even an Opossum and Bearded Dragon.
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