As of April 21, 2014, a total of 132 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Cotham have been reported from 31 states since February 21, 2012.
- 58% of ill persons are children 5 years of age or younger.
- 42% of ill persons have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
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. Bearded dragons are popular pet lizards that come in a variety of colors.
Of the three isolates collected from ill persons, one (33%) was resistant to ceftriaxone, an antibiotic used to treat serious Salmonella infections.