Investigation Details

Posted June 16, 2022

This outbreak investigation is over. Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs that can spread to you and make you sick. Always take steps to stay healthy around your bearded dragon.

June 16, 2022

CDC and public health officials in several states investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Uganda infections. Epidemiologic and laboratory data showed that contact with bearded dragons made people sick.

As of June 16, 2022, this outbreak investigation is over.

Epidemiologic Data

A total of 56 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Uganda were reported from 26 states (see map). The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this 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.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 24, 2020, to April 25, 2022 (see timeline). Sick people ranged in age from less than 1 to 84 years, with a median age of 27, and 62% were female. Of 49 people with information available, 19 were hospitalized and no deaths were reported.

State and local public health officials interviewed people about the animals they came into contact with during the week before they got sick. Among 43 people who remembered the type of animal they were exposed to, 29 (67%) reported bearded dragons.

Laboratory 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 were closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from the same type of animal.

On November 19, 2021, and March 17, 2022, the Oregon Health Authority collected samples from bearded dragons in sick people’s homes for testing and found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Uganda. On April 5, 2022, the Connecticut Department of Public Health collected samples from a bearded dragon, its food, and environment in a sick person’s home. A urine and stool (poop) sample from the bearded dragon as well as a sample taken from a bottle of calcium supplements that were being fed to the bearded dragon tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Uganda. These testing results mean that people likely got sick from touching bearded dragons or things in their habitat.

Whole genome sequencing of bacteria from 56 people’s samples, 4 animal samples, and 1 food sample did not predict any antibiotic resistance. Standard antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacteria from two people’s samples by CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory also found no resistance. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics.

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
  • Don’t eat or drink around it
  • Keep it out of the kitchen
  • Keep its supplies and habitat clean
Previous Updates

CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Uganda infections.

Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that contact with bearded dragons is making people sick.

Epidemiologic Data

As of January 10, 2022, a total of 44 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Uganda have been reported from 25 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 24, 2020, to December 2, 2021 (see timeline).

Sick people range in age from younger than 1 to 84 years, with a median age of 27, and 8 ill people were children under the age of 5. Of 43 people with sex information, 27 (63%) are female. Of 37 people with information available, 15 (41%) 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 2 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 33 people interviewed, 21 (64%) reported owning or touching bearded dragons or their supplies. People reported getting their bearded dragons from various places, including pet stores and online.

Laboratory Data

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be 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 this outbreak likely became sick from contact with the same type of animal.

On November 19, 2021, Oregon Health Authority collected samples from a bearded dragon in a sick person’s home for testing. WGS showed that the Salmonella on the animal is closely related to bacteria from sick people. This means that people likely got sick from touching bearded dragons.

Whole genome sequencing of bacteria from 44 people’s samples and one bearded dragon sample did not predict any antibiotic resistance. Standard antibiotic susceptibility testing of two people’s samples by CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) laboratory also found no resistance. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics.

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
  • Don’t eat or drink around it
  • Keep it out of the kitchen
  • Keep its supplies and habitat clean