Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe bearded dragon lizards are the source of recent a salmonella outbreak.
"We are confident bearded dragons are the source of the outbreak," Casey Barton Behravesh told the Associated Press.
Investigators have not found a link to a major pet retailer, and will continue to look into the outbreak, which has sent forty-two percent of affected people to the hospital.
According to AP, the animals were taken from pet stores, and sickened children two years of age or less.
While there have been no deaths reported, the percentage of victims is considered very high, considering that the illnesses mostly involved children, who easily succumb to the disease.
Infected species of the lizard might look as though they are not contaminated, but secretly give off Salmonella germs through their shedding or skin-changing process, AP reported.
The Center For Disease Control suggests people who own these animals should completely wash their hands after touching the reptile. Owners should also refrain from putting the animal in kitchens, sinks, and bathtubs and distance them from children.
Frogs, toads, turtles and snakes can also carry salmonella, along with hedgehogs, chicks and ducklings, AP reported.
Bearded dragon lizards are natives of the desert, and can grow up to 20 inches in length.
A select few are cream or brown in color, while others are red, orange, or yellow. All variations of the animal cost between $70 and $100.
Salmonella also previously struck the food world. 287 Foster Farms chicken eaters in 18 states became ill in October, according to a press release from the company.
Another 524 people in 25 states grew ill from cases connected to chicken products made at three of Foster Farms California plants, April 12.
The food contamination nearly closed down the Foster Farms factory, after officials detected traces of the disease.
