Kids infected as salmonella outbreak linked to pet veiled chameleons
08.05.2026, DPA
Photo: Cordula Kropke/dpa
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that five children across four states have become unwell from an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to contact with pet veiled chameleons.
A CDC investigation has found that the multistate outbreak is linked to the most common chameleon species in the pet trade.
All of the sick children are 2 years old or younger.
The CDC warned that reptiles are not recommended as pets for children under five, adults aged 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems as they are more likely to catch a serious illness from germs that reptiles can carry.
Veiled chameleons and other reptiles can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam.
"You can get sick from touching your pet veiled chameleon or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs," the CDC specialists warn in a press release.
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