2012-2014 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Contact with Pet Bearded Dragons

In April 2014 the CDC announced an outbreak of Salmonella Cotham and Salmonella Kisarawe infections linked to contact with bearded dragons, a popular pet lizard. On August 20, 2014 the CDC declared the outbreak over. In total there were 160 persons with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Cotham and there were 6 persons infected with Salmonella Kisarawe. Patients resided in 36 states. Among 115 persons for whom information was available, date that illnesses began range from February 2, 2012 to June 30, 2014. Among 118 ill persons with available information, 44 (37%) were hospitalized. There were no deaths. The pet dragons were purchased from multiple stores in different states. CDC's NARMS laboratory tested Salmonella Cotham isolates from 10 ill persons. One of the 10 was multidrug resistant and the other 9 isolates tested were pansusceptible.

Overview

Outbreak began:February 2012
Affected country:US
States/territories:AK, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Pathogen:Salmonella Cotham, Salmonella Kisarawe
Vehicle(s):Animal Contact
Location(s):Private Home
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:166
Number hospitalized:44

Sources & documents

Report / reference links
Outbreak documents