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- As of June 6, 2014, a total of 150 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Cotham (145 persons) or Salmonella Kisarawe (5 persons) have been reported from 35 states since February 21, 2012.
- 57% of ill persons are children 5 years of age or younger.
- 43% of ill persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
- A second rarely reported serotype, Salmonella Kisarawe, was added to this outbreak investigation after a sample from a bearded dragon collected from an ill person’s home yielded both Salmonella Kisarawe and Salmonella Cotham.
- Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings have linked this outbreak of Salmonella infections to contact with pet bearded dragons purchased from multiple stores in different states.
- Bearded dragons are popular pet lizards that come in a variety of colors.
- To date, CDC’S NARMS laboratory has conducted antibiotic resistance testing on Salmonella Cotham isolates collected from 12 ill persons infected with the outbreak strain.
- Of the 12 isolates collected from ill persons, one (8%) was resistant to ceftriaxone, an antibiotic used to treat serious Salmonella infections.
- The other 11 (92%) of the 12 isolates collected from ill persons were pansusceptible (susceptible to all antibiotics tested).
- It is very important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching reptiles or anything in the area where they live and roam.
- Simple tips on how to enjoy your pet reptile and protect yourself and your family from illness is available in English and en Español.
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