On April 23, 2014, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced it was investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Cotham infections linked to contact with pet bearded dragons purchased from multiple stores in different states, with 132 people sick.

Over one month later, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced they too were investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Cotham linked to bearded dragons, specifically four cases in Alberta and Ontario, and that three-of-the four cases were children under 2-years-old.

Two of the cases were hospitalized.