It’s a warning most pet lovers never expect to hear. Health officials say a quiet danger may be hiding in some American homes—one that has already taken a life and sent several people to the hospital. And the source might surprise you.

Across eleven states, families began noticing the same troubling symptoms: stomach pain, fever, exhaustion. Doctors soon traced the pattern back to a shared cause—pet bearded dragons, popular companions known for their calm personalities and bright eyes. By early November, 17 people had fallen ill. Six were hospitalized, and one person didn’t survive.

For many older Americans, the news feels unsettling. Pets are family. We feed them, clean their spaces, and share quiet moments with them. But health experts remind us that even the healthiest-looking reptiles can carry Salmonella, a bacteria that spreads easily from their droppings to their skin, enclosures, toys, and anything they touch.

The CDC put it simply: “Even healthy-looking reptiles can carry Salmonella.” That means a quick cuddle or forgotten handwash can be enough to pass the bacteria along.

Symptoms usually appear within hours—a wave of diarrhea, cramps, nausea, fever. Most people recover at home. But infants, older adults, pregnant women, and those with weaker immune systems face far greater risks. In severe cases, the infection can reach the blood, heart, or brain.

Officials urge pet owners to take extra care: wash hands thoroughly, clean reptile supplies outdoors when possible, avoid kitchen sinks, and—hard as it may be—skip the kisses and snuggles. For households with young children or elderly family members, experts say reptiles may not be the safest choice.

Still, with simple precautions, families can protect both themselves and the pets they love. And that small bit of awareness might save a life.