Key points
These outbreak investigations are over. Geckos can carry Salmonella germs that can spread to you and make you sick. Always take steps to stay healthy around your pet gecko and other pet reptiles.
Investigation details
CDC and public health officials in several states collected different types of data to investigate multistate outbreaks of Salmonella Lome, Muenchen, and Oranienburg infections.
Epidemiologic laboratory, and traceback data showed that contact with pet geckos made people sick in these outbreaks.
Epidemiologic data
A total of 113 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Lome (n=65), Salmonella Muenchen (n=18), or Salmonella Oranienburg (n=30) were reported from 36 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 4, 2024, to November 16, 2025. Of 98 people with information available, 31 (32%) were hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
The true number of sick people in these outbreaks was likely much higher than the number reported, and these outbreaks may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.
Public health officials collect 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 these outbreaks ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics
Age
(n=106)
Range from <1 to 83 years
Median age of 21 years
25% under 5 years
Sex
(n=111)
57% female
43% male
Race
(n=93)
84% White
13% African American/Black
1% Native American or Alaska Native
1% Asian
1% Multiple race
Ethnicity
(n=88)
82% non-Hispanic
18% Hispanic
State and local public health officials interviewed people about the animals they came into contact with during the week before they got sick. Of the 93 people interviewed, 52 (56%) reported contact with a reptile before getting sick. The reptile species most commonly mentioned by those interviewed was geckos, 41 (44%). Some patients had contact with multiple types of geckos. Of 37 patients providing information about the types of geckos they had contact with, 26 reported contact with crested geckos, 14 with leopard geckos, and 4 with Leachianus geckos. While less commonly reported than gecko contact, 18 patients reported contact with bearded dragons (7 only bearded dragons and 11 geckos and bearded dragons). Eleven patients without gecko contact reported contact with at least one other type of reptile or an amphibian, including bearded dragons, snakes, turtles, tortoises, and frogs
Laboratory data
Samples were collected for testing from a sick person's gecko in California and a sick person's gecko in New York. Samples were also collected for testing from a bearded dragon that a sick person interacted with in California. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that the Salmonella serotypes Muenchen, Lome, and Oranienburg from the geckos and bearded dragon were all closely related to the bacteria from sick people.
Based on WGS analysis, bacteria from 81 people's samples, 7 environmental samples, and 2 animal samples had no predicted resistance. Twenty-nine people's samples and one animal sample had predicted resistance to fosfomycin; all fosfomycin-resistant samples (100%) were Salmonella serotype Oranienburg. Three people's samples had predicted resistance to one or more of the following antibiotics: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cefoxitin, ceftriaxone, ceftiofur, streptomycin, trimethoprim, sulfisoxazole, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics were needed, some illnesses in this outbreak may not have been treatable with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may have required a different antibiotic choice. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS).
Traceback data
People in these outbreaks reported purchasing geckos at multiple retail locations. Investigators collected information about where sick people obtained their geckos and what breeders supplied the retail stores where sick people purchased geckos.
These outbreak strains were linked to multiple suppliers, including one that was common to the Salmonella Muenchen and Salmonella Lome outbreak strains. CDC worked with state partners to notify suppliers of these links, assessed any links to upstream suppliers, and made recommendations on reducing transmission of the outbreak strains throughout the reptile supply chain.
Previous updates
Investigation details
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate multistate outbreaks of Salmonella Lome, Muenchen, and Oranienburg.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that contact with pet geckos is making people sick in these outbreaks.
Epidemiologic data
Since the last update on July 17, 2025, 52 new people and 6 states have been added to this investigation. As of November 3, 2025, a total of 101 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Lome (n=56), Salmonella Muenchen (n=18), or Salmonella Oranienburg (n=27) have been reported from 33 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 4, 2024, to September 26, 2025. Of 87 people with information available, 27 (31%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in these outbreaks is likely much higher than the number reported, and these outbreaks 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 these outbreaks ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Age
(n=94)
Range from <1 to 83 years
Median age of 21 years
23% under 5 years
Sex
(n=99)
58% female
42% male
Race
(n=82)
87% White
11% African American/Black
1% Native American
1% Multiple race
Ethnicity
(n=78)
83% non-Hispanic
17% 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 83 people interviewed, 36 (43%) reported contact with a gecko before getting sick. Some patients had contact with multiple types of geckos. Of 33 patients providing information about the types of geckos they had contact with, 22 reported contact with crested geckos, 14 reported contact with leopard geckos, and 4 reported contact with Leachianus geckos. While less commonly reported than patients with gecko contact, 16 patients reported contact with bearded dragons and 21 patients reported contact with other reptiles and amphibians, including snakes, turtles, tortoises, and frogs.
Laboratory data
Samples were collected for testing from a sick person's gecko in California and a sick person's gecko in New York. Samples were also collected for testing from a bearded dragon that a sick person interacted with in California. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that the Salmonella serotypes Muenchen, Lome, and Oranienburg from the geckos and bearded dragon were closely related to the bacteria from sick people.
WGS showed that 26 samples from sick people in the Salmonella Oranienburg outbreak had predicted resistance to one or more of the following antibiotics: trimethoprim and fosfomycin. Most people infected with Salmonella recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics were indicated, illnesses in this outbreak with predicted resistance could be treated with the commonly recommended antibiotics for Salmonella infection. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) website.
Traceback data
People in these outbreaks reported purchasing geckos at multiple retail locations. Investigators continue to collect information about where sick people obtained their geckos and what breeders supplied the retail stores where sick people purchased geckos.
These outbreak strains have been linked to multiple suppliers including one that is common to the Salmonella Muenchen and Salmonella Lome outbreak strains. CDC is working with state partners to notify suppliers of these links, assess any links to upstream suppliers, and make recommendations on reducing transmission of the outbreak strains throughout the reptile supply chain. Additional suppliers may be linked to these outbreaks as the investigation continues.
Investigation details
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate multistate outbreaks of Salmonella Muenchen and Salmonella Lome.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that contact with pet geckos is making people sick in this outbreak.
Epidemiologic data
Since the last update on May 15, 2025, 35 new people, 16 states, and 1 new serotype have been added. As of July 14, 2025, a total of 49 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Muenchen (n=18) and Salmonella Lome (n=31) have been reported from 27 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 16, 2024, to June 12, 2025. Of 37 people with information available, 9 (24%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this 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).
Range from <1 to 80 years
Median age of 24 years
20% under 5 years
60% female
40% male
91% White
6% African American/Black
3% Native American
81% non-Hispanic
19% 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 37 people interviewed, 19 (51%) reported contact with a gecko before getting sick. Some patients had contact with multiple types of geckos. Of 18 patients providing information about the types of geckos they had contact with, 12 reported contact with crested geckos, 7 reported contact with leopard geckos, 1 reported contact with an African fat-tailed gecko, 1 reported contact with a Malaysian cat gecko, 1 reported contact with a Satanic leaf-tailed gecko, 1 reported contact with a White-lined gecko, and 1 reported contact with a wild gecko.
Laboratory data
Samples were collected from a sick person's gecko in California and a sick person's gecko in New York for testing. WGS showed that the Salmonella serotypes Muenchen and Lome from the geckos were closely related to the bacteria from sick people.
WGS analysis of bacteria from 49 people's samples and 7 environmental samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
Traceback data
People in this outbreak reported purchasing geckos at multiple retail locations. Investigators continue to collect information about where sick people obtained their geckos and what breeders supplied the retail stores where ill people purchased geckos.
These outbreak strains have been linked to multiple suppliers including one that is common to both outbreak strains. CDC is working with state partners to notify suppliers of these links and assess any links to upstream suppliers. Additional suppliers may be linked to these outbreaks as the investigation continues.
Investigation details
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen infections.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data shows that contact with pet geckos is making people sick in this outbreak.
Epidemiologic data
As of May 12, a total of 14 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Muenchen have been reported from 11 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 16, 2024, to April 14, 2025.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this 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).
Demographics
Information
Age
(n=14)
Range from <1 to 80 years
Median age of 19 years
21% under 5 years
Sex
(n=14)
50% female
50% male
Race
(n=10)
100% White
Ethnicity
(n=11)
82% non-Hispanic18% 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 10 people interviewed, 6 (60%) reported contact with a gecko before getting sick. Some patients had contact with multiple types of geckos. Of 6 patients providing information about the types of geckos they had contact with, 4 reported contact with crested geckos, 3 reported contact with leopard geckos, 1 reported contact with a Malaysian cat gecko, and 1 reported contact with an African fat-tailed gecko.
Laboratory and traceback data
Samples were collected from a sick person's gecko in California for testing. WGS showed that Salmonella serotype Muenchen from the gecko was closely related to the bacteria from sick people.
People in this outbreak reported purchasing geckos at multiple retail locations. Investigators are collecting information to determine if a common source of geckos can be identified.
WGS analysis of 14 people's samples and 2 environmental samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
Investigation details
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen infections.
Epidemiologic data shows that contact with pet geckos is making people sick in this outbreak.
Epidemiologic data
As of March 10, a total of 8 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Muenchen have been reported from 8 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 16, 2024, to February 1, 2025.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this 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=8)
Range from <1 to 80 years
Median age of 33 years
13% under 5 years
Sex
(n=8)
62% female
38% male
Race
(n=6)
Ethnicity
(n=7)
71% non-Hispanic29% 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 6 people interviewed, 5 (83%) reported contact with a gecko before getting sick. Some patients had contact with multiple types of geckos. Of 5 patients providing information about the types of geckos they had contact with, 3 reported contact with leopard geckos, 3 reported contact with crested geckos, 1reported contact with a Malaysian cat gecko, and 1 reported contact with an African fat-tailed gecko.
Laboratory and traceback data
Public health investigators are using 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).
WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from the same type of animal.
In 2015, this strain of Salmonella Muenchen caused an outbreak in the United States linked to contact with geckos. The Public Health Agency of Canada investigated an outbreak in 2024 of the same strain, also linked to geckos. Investigators are working to determine factors that might explain the recurrence and persistence of this strain among geckos.
People in this outbreak reported purchasing geckos at multiple retail locations. Investigators are collecting information to determine if a common source of geckos can be identified.
WGS analysis of 8 people's samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
Public health actions
CDC advises that you always take steps to stay healthy around geckos:
- Wash your hands after handling geckos, their food, or items in their environment.
- Keep geckos out of the kitchen or anywhere that food is prepared, stored, served, or eaten and away from areas where young children play.
- Keep gecko supplies and habitats clean.
- Children younger than 5 years old should not handle or touch reptiles, amphibians, or their environments because they are at a higher risk for serious illness and hospitalization caused by Salmonella infection.