obÌåÓý

obÌåÓý and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen infections.

Epidemiologic data shows that contact with pet geckos is making people sick in this outbreak.

Epidemiologic data

As of March 10, a total of 8 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Muenchen have been reported from 8 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 16, 2024, to February 1, 2025.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the animals they came into contact with during the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.

The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the animals they came into contact with during the week before they got sick. Of the 6 people interviewed, 5 (83%) reported contact with a gecko before getting sick. Some patients had contact with multiple types of geckos. Of 5 patients providing information about the types of geckos they had contact with, 3 reported contact with leopard geckos, 3 reported contact with crested geckos, 1 reported contact with a Malaysian cat gecko, and 1 reported contact with an African fat-tailed gecko.

Laboratory and traceback data

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. obÌåÓý PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).

WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This means that people in this outbreak likely got sick from the same type of animal.

In 2015, this strain of Salmonella Muenchen caused linked to contact with geckos. The Public Health Agency of Canada investigated an outbreak in of the same strain, also linked to geckos. Investigators are working to determine factors that might explain the recurrence and persistence of this strain among geckos.

People in this outbreak reported purchasing geckos at multiple retail locations. Investigators are collecting information to determine if a common source of geckos can be identified.

WGS analysis of 8 people's samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.

Public health actions

obÌåÓý advises that you always take steps to stay healthy around geckos:

• Wash your hands after handling geckos, their food, or items in their environment.
• Keep geckos out of the kitchen or anywhere that food is prepared, stored, served, or eaten and away from areas where young children play.
• Keep gecko supplies and habitats clean.
• Children younger than 5 years old should not handle or touch reptiles, amphibians, or their environments because they are at a higher risk for serious illness and hospitalization caused by Salmonella infection.