ATLANTA — At least one Georgia resident has been reported to have salmonella from an outbreak, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked to bearded dragons.
According to a press release, the CDC has received 15 reports of the illness across nine states. Four hospitalizations have been reported, and no deaths have been reported. The cases are spread throughout the country, with the majority in the south and east. The CDC noted that the actual number of cases is likely much higher than the reported number because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for the illness.
More than half of those reported sick are children less than 5 years old. Young children, adults over 65 and people with weak immune systems are more likely to get serious illnesses from germs that reptiles carry, and thus are recommended not to have bearded dragons as pets.
Bearded dragons can carry salmonella in their droppings, even if they look healthy. Individuals can get sick from touching a bearded dragon or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth or food.
The CDC advises people to wash their hands and keep things clean, make sure children under 5 years old avoid contact with bearded dragons and have dedicated enclosures for bearded dragons.
Salmonella typically lasts four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment, but some severe cases may require hospitalization. Most people infected develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure.
