A salmonellosis outbreak affecting at least 32 people in 20 states has been linked to contact with pet bearded dragons, according to the CDC, and it’s probable that many more cases have gone unreported, writes physician Bruce Lee, a professor of health policy and management at the City University of New York School of Public Health. Steps to avoid salmonella infections include washing your hands thoroughly and frequently whenever handling bearded dragons, cleaning and disinfecting everything that a bearded dragon touches, and waiting until children are at least 5 years old before allowing them to have contact with a bearded dragon.