Reptiles: Different Types, Definition, Photos, and More

People With Bearded Dragons As Pets May Be Exposed To A Rare Strain Of Salmonella: Report

A rare salmonella strain that has affected several infants in recent years in the U.S. And Canada has been traced back to pet bearded dragons, according to a new study published this week.

The study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), linked the species to the Salmonella Vitkin outbreak that struck across North America in 2021 and 2022, following an investigation on the animals being potentially sold by the same breeder in southeast Asia. 

The results come as the bearded dragon, also known as the Pogona, is steadily becoming a popular household pet across the country, as shared across social media in recent months. 

Per the study, two identified cases of Salmonella enterica serovar Vitkin infection were "linked by whole-genome sequencing in infants" in Ontario, Canada, in 2022 — the households of which both have bearded dragons as pets.

Salmonella petri dish.

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"The outbreak strain was also isolated from an environmental sample collected from a patient's bearded dragon enclosure," the CDCP stated. Twelve cases were also traced in the U.S. Between March 2021 and September 2022. 

Bearded dragons, which are native to Australia, can be purchased in pet stores all over the U.S. And Canada, and are most likely bred in captivity.

The CDCP study reported that patients from Ontario were sold bearded dragons from various pet stores in the province by a single common intermediary supplier "which imported bearded dragons from various suppliers, including an international supplier located in southeast Asia."

A bearded dragon.

Getty

This supplier stopped importing reptiles from the international supplier in late 2021. Upon further investigation, the pet stores selling bearded dragons in the U.S. Were supplied by a sole supplier who purchased the reptiles from the same international supplier, according to the report.

It is now being advised that bearded dragons being housed as pets shouldn't roam outside of their tanks to prevent any further outbreaks.

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"They are the golden retriever of the reptile world in terms of ease of handling," the president of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians and reptile owner, Dr. La'Toya Latney, said, per The New York Times. "It actually increases the possibility of them getting sick or hurt."

Households with infants should be cautious when it comes to having amphibians in general. Bearded dragons harbor salmonella bacteria in their digestive tracts that can spread into feces and on the lizard's skin, making handling a potential cause of the spread of infection.

Rare Salmonella Strain Linked To Pet Lizards — Dozens Of People Sickened, CDC Warns

Keep your reptile away from the kitchen.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that a rare strain of salmonella is linked to ownership of bearded dragon lizards, a cold-blooded cult favorite among pet owners.

Those who allow the little-tailed beasts to roam freely put their entire household's health at risk, especially in food settings, per the CDC.

"Bearded dragons can carry salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam," the organization warned.

"You can get sick from touching your bearded dragon or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing salmonella germs."

Strains of salmonella have been tied to the popular bearded dragon lizard. Getty Images

Up to March 2023, there were 32 observed cases — 10 involving hospitalizations — tied to bearded dragons, and a new study published in "Emerging Infectious Diseases" reported that 12 of those came from the U.S. Between 2021 and 2022.

There were two other cases of the diarrhea-inducing disease in Ontario, Canada, and they were the first of this specific strain that the nation has seen in 14 years.

That study also ties the new cases to a sole breeder in southeast Asia.

Owners of the highly popular bearded dragon typically take the lizard out of its cage quite often, Dr. La'Toya Latney, who is president of the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, told the New York Times.

"They are the golden retriever of the reptile world in terms of ease of handling," she said.

The cases were died to one breeder in southeast Asia. Getty Images/iStockphoto

A conservationist professor at the University of California, Davis added that the pet — a 2021 survey crowned them the most-owned reptile — has taken off with college-aged young adults as well.

"I have college students that will come to class with their bearded dragon on their shoulder, which is probably not the most hygienic thing," Brian Todd told the Times.

"After you've handled one, you need to wash your hands, especially before preparing food or picking up your child."

Bearded dragons are easy to carry, making them very popular. But there's a risk of illness that comes with handling them. Getty Images/iStockphoto

He's right, according to the CDC, which specifically warns: "Don't kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon, and don't eat or drink around it," adding that it "can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick."

The agency also advises against getting one for children under 5 or adults over 65 because of weakened immune systems.

Enter The Bearded Dragon This CNY

Docile reptile: Six-year-old Orhan Shah holding a bearded dragon at the pets shop in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

JOHOR BARU: This cold-blooded creature is named after a mythical animal, but this one cannot breathe fire. Enter the bearded dragon, which has become a favoured pet in Malaysia.

Demand for bearded dragons is increasing in view of the approaching Year of the Dragon next month, said Suprema Exotic Pets shop assistant Zulhashimi Abidin.

"It has become popular lately, especially ones that are red in colour," he said.

He said the reptile is called a bearded dragon because it can puff up the underside of its throat to make it look menacing... Like a dragon!

"When bearded dragons puff up the underside of their throats, it looks as if they have a beard. The reason why they do this is because it is part of their defence mechanism, or in trying to entice a mate in the wild.

Zulhashimi said that there was a growing demand for bearded dragons among Malaysians wanting to keep lizards as pets.

"Despite the spiny scales covering its body from tail to head, bearded dragons are actually gentle animals, making them suitable as pets," he said.

He advised pet owners to have at least a two-foot (61cm) deep tank or aquarium, which must be equipped with two heat lamps.

The heat lamps, UVB and UVA, would provide the bearded dragon with much needed vitamins to prevent them from getting infected with metabolic bone disease, he said.

"In terms of diet, bearded dragons usually eat small insects and also vegetation," he added.

The price for a bearded dragon depends on its size, he said, adding that it could range between RM200 and RM300.

"The lizard can live up to nine years in captivity and can grow up to 60cm long," he added.

He also said the species, pogona vitticeps, comes from the lizard family where it can be found in the Australian desert.

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