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Bearded dragons, which come in a variety of colors and are popular with children, often carry salmonella.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

More than 130 people nationwide have been sickened in a salmonella outbreak traced to bearded dragons, a popular pet among children.

The

said Wednesday that the outbreak had spread to 31 states, including Oregon, over the past two months, sickening at least 132 people. Nearly 60 percent have been children, and over 40 percent have been hospitalized.

Oregon scientists cracked the case after a baby in Marion County got sick. Emilio DeBess, a Public Health Division epidemiologist, decided to investigate. Taking time on his lunch hour in early April, he visited the home and collected nine samples, swabbing two bearded dragons and the surrounding environment. Eight samples turned up positive for the rare strain involved in the outbreak.

DeBess said the baby, who is less than 1 years old, had no contact with the reptiles, which are kept by the parents. The baby was not even allowed in the same room.

The case illustrates the importance of thorough hand washing after handling the animals and sanitizing surfaces that children might touch, he said.

Once DeBess had nailed the case, other health officials investigated and discovered a similar link between patients, bearded dragons and the salmonella strain. DeBess, the state public health veterinarian with a long experience with harmful pathogens related to reptiles and rodents, suspected bearded dragons might be the cause following a case in Oregon in July in which a 20-year-old came down with the same strain after he handled the creatures at a friend's house. DeBess tried to contact the owners but they never responded, he said.

The outbreak involves a salmonella strain resistant to ceftriaxone, an antibiotic used to treat serious salmonella infections. DeBess said that's alarming.

"When people are hospitalized (in this case), they have to be treated with antibiotics," DeBess said. "But with a drug resistance, it will limit the success of hospital treatment and that's very concerning."

Bearded dragons come in a variety of colors and are popular with children. But like all reptiles, they often carry salmonella. Though the contaminated creatures were purchased at different stores across the country, there are a few suppliers in the U.S., DeBess said. The CDC is doing a traceback investigation to pinpoint the exact source. The bearded dragons in Marion County were purchased at a Salem area pet store.

Children, which have developing immune systems, should be kept away from reptiles, DeBess said. He recommends that children younger than 10 not have contact with them.

"They tend to be more inquisitive," DeBess said. "They probably do a lot more handling and poking" but are less rigorous about hand washing.

-- Lynne Terry