2010 Outbreak of Chelonitoxication Linked to Eating Turtles, Micronesia
The rare hawksbill turtle was served at a feast in Micronesia. Illness and death resulted due to chelonitoxism, a type of poisoning caused by biotoxins in turtle flesh. There is no antidote to the poison. The hawksbill turtle is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Four of the dead were children.
Overview
| Outbreak began: | October 2010 |
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| Affected country: | Other International |
| States/territories: | NA |
| Pathogen: | Chelonitoxism |
| Vehicle(s): | turtle |
| Location(s): | Private party |
| Molecular test results: | Not reported |
Health impact
| Total ill: | 90 |
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| Number of deaths: | 6 |
Sources & documents
| Report / reference links | ||
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