2022 Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Pet Bearded Dragons – Investigation Details
Updated March 3, 2023
CDC and public health officials in several states investigated two multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections with serotypes Vitkin and IIIb 61:z52:z53.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data showed that contact with pet bearded dragons made people sick in both outbreaks.
As of March 3, 2023, this outbreak investigation is over.
Epidemiologic Data
A total of 32 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Vitkin (12 people) and Salmonella IIIb 61:z52:z53 (20 people) were reported from 20 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 21, 2021, to December 22, 2022 (see timeline).
Sick people ranged in age from less than 1 to 75 years, with a median age of 8 years old. A total of 15 (47%) were children under the age of 5 years old, with 11 children under the age of 1 year old. Of 30 people with sex information available, 19 (63%) people were female. Race or ethnicity information was available for 26 people. Among the 3 people who reported Hispanic ethnicity, 2 were White and 1 was African American/Black. Among people who did not report Hispanic ethnicity, 20 were White, two were African American/Black, and one was Asian. Of 25 people with information available, 10 (40%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
The true number of sick people in an outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.
State and local public health officials interviewed people about the animals they came into contact with during the week before they got sick. Of the 26 people interviewed, 17 (65%) reported contact with a pet bearded dragon before getting sick. Contact most frequently occurred at people’s homes and included touching the animals or their enclosures, feeding them, and putting them on the lap, head, or shoulders.
Laboratory and Traceback Data
Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that were part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).
WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This means that people in each outbreak likely got sick from the same type of animal.
In both outbreaks, 15 people reported purchasing their bearded dragons from pet stores or online. The stores reported sourcing bearded dragons from multiple breeders and suppliers, and several were common between both outbreaks.
Salmonella Vitkin Outbreak
- Among the eight people who reported contact with bearded dragons, four reported purchasing their bearded dragon from different pet stores.
- The outbreak strain was not identified in samples from bearded dragons or habitats.
Salmonella IIIb 61:z52:z53 Outbreak
- Utah and Colorado public health officials identified the outbreak strain from samples collected from a sick person’s bearded dragon and its habitat.
- Among the 9 people who reported contact with bearded dragons, all reported purchasing or having contact with bearded dragons from different pet stores. At least five breeders and suppliers were identified, including one that supplied multiple stores.
WGS of bacteria from 30 people’s samples, seven bearded dragon samples, and 30 environmental samples predicted resistance to ciprofloxacin; analysis of bacteria from one person’s sample did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, this resistance could affect the choice of antibiotic used to treat some people. Testing of bacteria from three people’s samples using standard antibiotic susceptibility testing methods by CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory showed nonsusceptibility to ciprofloxacin, meaning that clinicians would need to select an alternate antibiotic if treatment were indicated.
Public Health Actions
CDC advises that you always take steps to stay healthy around your pet bearded dragon:
- Wash your hands.
- Don’t kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon.
- Keep your bearded dragon out of the kitchen and away from areas where young children play.
- Keep its supplies and habitat clean.
- Limit young children’s contact with your bearded dragon.
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate two multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections with serotypes Vitkin and IIIb 61:z52:z53.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that contact with pet bearded dragons is making people sick in both outbreaks.
Epidemiologic Data
As of January 20, 2023, a total of 32 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Vitkin (12 people) and Salmonella IIIb 61:z52:z53 (20 people) have been reported from 20 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 24, 2021, to November 2, 2022 (see timeline).
Sick people range in age from less than 1 to 75 years, with a median age of 6 years old. Fifteen (47%) are children under the age of 5 years old, with 11 children under the age of 1 year old. Nineteen (59%) patients are female. Of 24 people with information available, 10 (42%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the animals they came into contact with during the week before they got sick. Of the 25 people interviewed, 16 (64%) reported contact with a pet bearded dragon before getting sick.
Laboratory and Traceback Data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of these outbreaks. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).
WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This means that people in each outbreak likely got sick from the same type of animal.
Salmonella Vitkin outbreak
- Among the 8 people who reported contact with bearded dragons, 4 reported purchasing their bearded dragon from different pet stores. Investigators are working to determine if there is a common supplier of bearded dragons.
Salmonella IIIb 61:z52:z53 outbreak
- Utah and Colorado public health officials identified the outbreak strain from samples collected from a sick person’s bearded dragon and its habitat.
- Among the 8 people who reported contact with bearded dragons, all reported purchasing or having contact with bearded dragons from different pet stores. Investigators are working to determine if there is a common supplier of bearded dragons.
WGS of bacteria from 30 people’s samples, seven bearded dragon samples, and 30 environmental samples predicted resistance to ciprofloxacin; analysis of bacteria from one person’s sample did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, this resistance could affect the choice of antibiotic used to treat some people. Testing of bacteria from three people’s samples using standard antibiotic susceptibility testing methods by CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory showed nonsusceptibility to ciprofloxacin, meaning that clinicians would need to select an alternate antibiotic if treatment were indicated.
Public Health Actions
CDC is working with the bearded dragon industry and the pet industry to reduce Salmonella in bearded dragons. CDC advises that you always take steps to stay healthy around your pet bearded dragon:
- Wash your hands.
- Don’t kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon.
- Keep your bearded dragon out of the kitchen and away from areas where young children play.
- Keep its supplies and habitat clean.
- Limit young children’s contact with your bearded dragon.
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate two multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections with serotypes Vitkin and IIIb 61:z52:z53.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that contact with pet bearded dragons is making people sick in both outbreaks.
Epidemiologic Data
As of October 12, 2022, a total of 23 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Vitkin (10 people) and Salmonella IIIb 61:z52:z53 (13 people) have been reported from 15 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 24, 2021, to September 13, 2022 (see timeline).
Sick people range in age from less than 1 to 75 years, with a median age of 2 years old, and 10 (43%) are children under the age of 1 year old. Thirteen (57%) patients are female. Of 17 people with information available, 8 (47%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the animals they came into contact with in the week before they got sick. Of the 20 people interviewed, 11 (55%) reported contact with a pet bearded dragon before getting sick.
Laboratory and Traceback Data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of these outbreaks. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).
WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This means that people in each outbreak likely got sick from the same type of animal.
Salmonella Vitkin outbreak
- Among the 6 people who reported contact with bearded dragons, 4 reported purchasing their bearded dragon from different pet stores. Investigators are working to determine if there is a common supplier of bearded dragons.
Salmonella IIIb 61:z52:z53 outbreak
- Utah public health officials identified the outbreak strain from samples collected from a sick person’s bearded dragon and its habitat.
- Among the 5 people who reported contact with bearded dragons, all reported purchasing or having contact with bearded dragons from different pet stores. Investigators are working to determine if there is a common supplier of bearded dragons.
WGS of bacteria from 22 people’s samples, four bearded dragon samples, and one sample from a bearded dragon’s habitat predicted resistance to ciprofloxacin; analysis of bacteria from one person’s sample did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, this resistance could affect the choice of antibiotic used to treat some people. Standard antibiotic susceptibility testing by CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory is currently underway.
Public Health Actions
CDC is working with the bearded dragon industry and the pet industry to reduce Salmonella in bearded dragons. CDC advises that you always take steps to stay healthy around your pet bearded dragon:
- Wash your hands.
- Don’t kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon.
- Keep your bearded dragon out of the kitchen and away from areas where young children play.
- Keep its supplies and habitat clean.
- Limit young children’s contact with your bearded dragon.