Although your chances of contracting salmonella from your pet's bearded dragon are very slim, you, as the owner, should follow some guidelines to ensure that you and your pet stay safe and healthy. Salmonella is a bacterium found in the feces of the bearded dragon.
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 anywhere in the area where they live and roam.Salmonella is one of many types of gut bacteria found in bearded dragons. Undoubtedly, the bacteria can be transmitted to humans, but the spread of the bacteria is easy to prevent. Salmonella is present in the feces of bearded dragons, but it can also be on the skin. Improper handling, cleaning the cage, or cleaning the dragon itself can spread the bacteria.
Things can get a little “complicated” for those with bearded dragons as pets. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bearded dragons appear to be the source of a new Salmonella outbreak that has already left at least 44 people sick and 15 hospitalized in 25 states. All reptiles have the potential to transmit Salmonella to humans, just like birds, especially poultry. After all, bearded dragons don't usually carry small bottles of hand sanitizer or sing “Happy Birthday” while washing their hands.
But officials say the real number of people sick is likely to be higher as people recover from salmonella without medical care. Like most reptiles, bearded dragons carry diseases, the most common of which is salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans. CDC strongly recommends not kissing or cuddling bearded dragons or allowing them to go near places where Late last year, public health officials from the state of Oregon analyzed Salmonella samples collected from a bearded dragon owned by a sick individual during the outbreak. If your bearded dragon is offended because you wash your hands so often, tell him, “Look, it's me, not you.
Public health officials are investigating a multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to pet-bearded dragons that has sickened dozens of people for nearly a year. Bearded dragons, like most reptiles, carry salmonella bacteria in their intestinal tract, which they excrete in their excrement, according to the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. They also advise that the owners do not kiss or cuddle your bearded dragon and that they do not eat or drink near it. Originally from Australia, bearded dragons have become one of the most popular pet lizards in the entire country.
Health officials add that bearded dragons are not recommended for children under 5 and adults over 65, along with people with weakened immune systems. If bearded dragons roam the house, the CDC also recommends cleaning anything they come in contact with and doing it in a laundry room or bathtub. Just because your breaded dragon looks healthy and clean and says, “Dude, that shower was amazing, it can still carry Salmonella. CDC recommends owners of bearded lizards always wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after touching or feeding their pets and after touching or cleaning the area where pets live and roam.
That means don't curl up or cuddle with your bearded dragon or whisper sweet things in each other's ears while watching romantic comedies on Netflix. Pet owners can get sick by touching their bearded dragon or anything in their environment and then touching their mouth and swallowing Salmonella. .
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