Key points
CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to pet bearded dragons. Bearded dragons and other reptiles can carry Salmonella germs that can spread to you and make you sick. Always take steps to stay healthy around your pet bearded dragon.
Investigation details
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Cotham infections.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data showed that contact with pet bearded dragons made people sick in this outbreak.
Epidemiologic data
As of November 3, 2025, a total of 17 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Cotham were reported from 11 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 26, 2025, to October 4, 2025 (see timeline). Of 14 people with information available, 6 (43%) have been hospitalized. There has been one reported death from Kentucky.
The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the animals they came into contact with during the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Age
(n=17)
Range from <1 to 74 years
Median age of 2 years
53% under 5 years
Sex
(n=17)
41% female
59% male
Race
(n=15)
80% White
20% African American/Black
Ethnicity
(n=16)
100% non-Hispanic
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the animals they came into contact with during the week before they got sick. Of the 14 people interviewed, 8 (57%) reported contact with a bearded dragon before getting sick. Most people had contact at home while caring for bearded dragons such as touching the animals or their enclosures, feeding them, and putting them on their laps, heads, or shoulders. At least one child did not touch the bearded dragons and might have been exposed through indirect contact with a reptile in the household. For example, after a reptile was allowed to roam freely in the home.
Laboratory and traceback data
Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).
Samples were collected from a sick person's bearded dragon in Ohio. WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples and the bearded dragon are closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from the same type of animal. WGS also showed that this Salmonella Cotham strain is genetically closely related to a Salmonella Cotham strain which caused outbreaks in 2024 and from 2012–2014 and were linked to bearded dragon exposure. More information on these previous outbreaks can be found in this recent MMWR.
People in this outbreak reported purchasing bearded dragons at multiple retail locations.