2020-2021 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Uganda Infections Linked to Contact with Bearded Dragons
Public health officials investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda infections reported from 25 states. A total of 44 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Uganda were reported. Illnesses started on December 24, 2020 to December 2, 2021. Fifteen people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
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.
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.
The outbreak was declared over on June 16, 2022.
Tags:
reptile, salmonellosis, Bearded Dragon, petOverview
| Outbreak began: | December 2020 |
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| Affected country: | US |
| States/territories: | AL, AR, CA, CT, FL, KS, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NY, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI |
| Pathogen: | Salmonella Uganda |
| Vehicle(s): | Animal Contact |
| Location(s): | Private Home |
| Molecular test results: | Not reported |
Health impact
| Total ill: | 56 |
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