Key points
CDC and public health officials in several states are investigating two multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to pet geckos. Geckos can carry Salmonella germs that can spread to you and make you sick. Always take steps to stay healthy around your pet gecko.
Investigation details
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate multistate outbreaks of Salmonella Muenchen and Salmonella Lome.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that contact with pet geckos is making people sick in this outbreak.
Epidemiologic data
Since the last update on May 15, 2025, 35 new people, 16 states, and 1 new serotype have been added. As of July 14, 2025, a total of 49 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Muenchen (n=18) and Salmonella Lome (n=31) have been reported from 27 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 16, 2024, to June 12, 2025. Of 37 people with information available, 9 (24%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
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).
Demographics
Age
(n=45)
Range from <1 to 80 years
Median age of 24 years
20% under 5 years
Sex
(n=48)
60% female
40% male
Race
(n=34)
91% White
6% African American/Black
3% Native American
Ethnicity
(n=32)
81% non-Hispanic
19% Hispanic
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 37 people interviewed, 19 (51%) reported contact with a gecko before getting sick. Some patients had contact with multiple types of geckos. Of 18 patients providing information about the types of geckos they had contact with, 12 reported contact with crested geckos, 7 reported contact with leopard geckos, 1 reported contact with an African fat-tailed gecko, 1 reported contact with a Malaysian cat gecko, 1 reported contact with a Satanic leaf-tailed gecko, 1 reported contact with a White-lined gecko, and 1 reported contact with a wild gecko.
Laboratory data
Samples were collected from a sick person's gecko in California and a sick person's gecko in New York for testing. WGS showed that the Salmonella serotypes Muenchen and Lome from the geckos were closely related to the bacteria from sick people.
WGS analysis of bacteria from 49 people's samples and 7 environmental samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
Traceback data
People in this outbreak reported purchasing geckos at multiple retail locations. Investigators continue to collect information about where sick people obtained their geckos and what breeders supplied the retail stores where ill people purchased geckos.
These outbreak strains have been linked to multiple suppliers including one that is common to both outbreak strains. CDC is working with state partners to notify suppliers of these links and assess any links to upstream suppliers. Additional suppliers may be linked to these outbreaks as the investigation continues.
Previous updates
Investigation details
CDC and public health officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen infections.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data shows that contact with pet geckos is making people sick in this outbreak.
Epidemiologic data
As of May 12, a total of 14 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Muenchen have been reported from 11 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 16, 2024, to April 14, 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).
Demographics
Information
Age
(n=14)
Range from <1 to 80 years
Median age of 19 years
21% under 5 years
Sex
(n=14)
50% female
50% male
Race
(n=10)
100% White
Ethnicity
(n=11)
82% non-Hispanic18% Hispanic
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 10 people interviewed, 6 (60%) reported contact with a gecko before getting sick. Some patients had contact with multiple types of geckos. Of 6 patients providing information about the types of geckos they had contact with, 4 reported contact with crested geckos, 3 reported contact with leopard geckos, 1 reported contact with a Malaysian cat gecko, and 1 reported contact with an African fat-tailed gecko.
Laboratory and traceback data
Samples were collected from a sick person's gecko in California for testing. WGS showed that Salmonella serotype Muenchen from the gecko was closely related to the bacteria from sick people.
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 14 people's samples and 2 environmental samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
Investigation details
CDC 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).
Age
(n=8)
Range from <1 to 80 years
Median age of 33 years
13% under 5 years
Sex
(n=8)
62% female
38% male
Race
(n=6)
Ethnicity
(n=7)
71% non-Hispanic29% Hispanic
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, 1reported 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. CDC 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 an outbreak in the United States linked to contact with geckos. The Public Health Agency of Canada investigated an outbreak in 2024 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
CDC 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.