A salmonella outbreak linked to contact with pet bearded dragons is being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Forty-four people in 25 states, not including Indiana, have gotten sick after contracting salmonella from pet bearded dragons. So far, 15 people have been hospitalized.

The CDC warned Tuesday that bearded dragons carry salmonella germs in their droppings. The germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam.

The CDC recommends these tips to stay safe around your bearded dragon:

– Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching or feeding your bearded dragon.

– Don’t kiss or snuggle your bearded dragon, and don’t eat or drink around it.

– Keep your bearded dragon out of your kitchen and other areas where you eat, store, or prepare food.

– Clean your bearded dragon supplies outside the house, if possible.

– If you must clean your supplies indoors, use a laundry sink or bathtub and thoroughly clean and disinfect the area right after.

Call your doctor if you have contact with a bearded dragon and then have diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F, diarrhea for more than three days, bloody diarrhea, so much vomiting that you can not keep liquids down, or signs of dehydration such as dry mouth and dizziness when standing.