Deadly salmonella outbreak in US children linked to lizard feces, CDC warns

The CDC has warned of a multi-state outbreak of deadly salmonella poisoning linked to lizards.

Nine of the patients are under the age of five and are said to have come into contact with their bearded dragons. Four people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

The lizards carry salmonella germs in their feces, contaminating their habitat.

Although lizards are commonly kept as pets, health officials say young children, seniors and people with weak immune systems should stay away.

When a person touches the bearded dragon or anything in its cage and then touches its mouth or the food it eats, it puts it at risk for fever, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The CDC recommends Wash hands frequently after handling the lizard, ensure that young children under the age of five avoid contact, and have a designated area that keeps them from roaming freely around the house.

Bearded dragons are affectionately known as the golden retrievers of the lizard world.

A quick search on TikTok will turn up hundreds of videos racking up tens of thousands of views, with people sharing adorable videos showcasing the lizards’ crazy personalities.

Many of them feature the scaly friends in costumes and cute outfits, lounging on a pool float and enjoying a bowl of blueberries.

The lizards are typically sold as pets after being bred in captivity. They are believed to be the most popular lizards and are increasingly being used as pets, partly due to their great social media presence.

Dr. Jose Valdez, an expert on ecology and biodiversity, reported: ‘Trends within the reptile trade have also changed dramatically in recent decades, with an increase in domestic demand, a decrease in foreign supply and generally less dependence on imported and wild-caught species. reptiles.

‘This is highlighted by the US, which is both the largest importer and exporter of reptiles in the world and exemplifies the rapid growth and success of captive breeding, with more than 10,000 hobbyists actively breeding reptiles.’

Salmonella lives in the lizard’s digestive tract. It is excreted through their feces and often ends up on their skin, potentially contaminating any area it wanders. Petting and then handling food is risky.

This isn’t the first salmonella outbreak linked to bearded dragons. Between March 2021 and September 2022, 12 cases of salmonelosis were recorded in 10 states, as well as two cases in Canada.

At least eight patients in the US were one year old or younger. Five of the infected people were hospitalized, but none died.

The strain they are infected with is rare and probably comes from Canada.

Last year, the CDC announced a separate salmonella outbreak linked to the lizards. The outbreak was first reported in October 2022

first reported by the CDC on October 12, 2022, has now affected and hospitalized at least 32 people 10 people. No deaths were reported.

The CDC estimates that salmonella bacteria cause approximately 1.35 million infections, more than 26,000 hospitalizations and 420 deaths annually.

Researchers have identified about 2,500 species of bacteria, but fewer than 100 cause most diseases.