A rare strain of salmonella that has infected several infants in the US and Canada in recent years has been linked 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 hit North America in 2021 and 2022, following an investigation into animals potentially sold by the same breeder in Southeast Asia.
The results come as the bearded dragon, also known as Pogona, is becoming a popular pet across the country, as has been shared on social media in recent months.
According to the study, two identified cases of Salmonella enterica serovar Vitkin infection “were linked by whole-genome sequencing in infants” in Ontario, Canada, in 2022 – both households have bearded dragons as pets.
Salmonella petri dish.
Getty
The death toll has risen to 8 in a salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated melons and cut fruit
“The outbreak strain was also isolated from an environmental sample taken from the patient’s bearded dragon enclosure,” the CDCP stated. Twelve cases were also observed in the US between March 2021 and September 2022.
Bearded dragons, which are native to Australia, can be purchased at pet stores throughout the US and Canada, and are most likely bred in captivity.
The CDCP study reported that Ontario patients were being sold bearded dragons from various pet stores in the province by a common intermediary supplier “who imported bearded dragons from a variety of suppliers, including an international supplier located in Southeast Asia.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(289x303:291x305)/bearded-dragon-stock-image-855c8ff82f3946f1958de0a1506ee3ef.jpg)
Bearded dragon.
Getty
At least 26 people in 11 US states sickened by salmonella outbreak linked to turtles, CDC says
This supplier stopped importing reptiles from an international supplier at the end of 2021. After further investigation, pet stores selling bearded dragons in the US were supplied by a single supplier that purchased the reptiles from the same international supplier, the report said.
It is now advised that bearded dragons kept as pets should not roam outside their tanks to prevent further outbreaks.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. ,” said Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarian Association President and reptile owner Dr. La’Toya Latney, per The New York Times. “It actually increases the chance of them getting sick or injured.”
Households with infants should be cautious when dealing with amphibians in general. Bearded dragons harbor salmonella bacteria in their digestive tracts that can be spread in their feces and on the lizard’s skin, making handling a potential source of infection.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education