Bearded dragons seen as salmonella source

NEW YORK (AP) -- Bearded dragons apparently have joined the list of pets that can give you salmonella poisoning.

In the last two years, 132 people in 31 states have been infected with a rare form of salmonella bacteria. About two dozen of the sick people said they'd handled bearded dragons - a popular lizard native to Australia that comes in several colors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week issued a report on the outbreak. CDC officials warned owners should wash their hands thoroughly after handling the lizards and keep them out of the kitchen, sinks and bathtubs, and away from small children.

Other pets that carry the salmonella bug include frogs, toads, turtles, snakes, hedgehogs, chicks and ducklings.