From March 2021 - September 2022 a specific serovar associated only with bearded dragons caused serious infections in two (2) Canada children and twelve (12) U.S. children. Five (5) of the U.S. children required hospitalization. The infected bearded dragons were traced back to a probable single Southeast Asian source of animals imported to the U.S. While this serovar is rare in North America, both the U.S. CDC and the Canadian PHAC will be tracking and monitoring more closely.
Again, while rare, all the cases in this report were children under five (5), and most under age of one (1). Nearly 40% were hospitalized.
For herpers, this is not a good report and has the potential to foment additional regulations concerning bearded dragons and perhaps other lizards and reptiles in general. I would conclude that herpers at reptile shows must exercise great caution allowing children to handle animals. I even see mothers with babies handling animals. It would be reasonable and logical for herpers to require anyone handling animals to use vendor supplied hand sanitizer after touching any animals. Show owners should perhaps require approaches by vendors to mitigate potential infections. Add to this appropriate cleaning of cages and transport enclosures is a must. Other recommendations ?
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/2/23-0963_article
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