As of June 6, 2014, a total of 150 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Cotham (145 persons) or Salmonella Kisarawe (5 persons) have been reported from 35 states since February 21, 2012. 57% of ill persons are children 5 years of age or younger. 43% of ill persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
A second rarely reported serotype, Salmonella Kisarawe, was added to this outbreak investigation after a sample from a bearded dragon collected from an ill person’s home yielded both Salmonella Kisarawe and Salmonella Cotham.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings have linked this outbreak of Salmonella infections to contact with pet bearded dragons purchased from multiple stores in different states.