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
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
Number of deaths:6

Sources & documents

Report / reference links