1983 Outbreak of Salmonella Linked to Turtles, Puerto Rico
In January, 1984, an infant residing in Puerto Rico developed Salmonella, serogroup F, shortly after having contact with a pet turtle that had been imported from the U.S. mainland. Due to this illness, Puerto Rican health officials conducted a case-control study involving salmonellosis cases reported in 1983 that were infants at the time of their illness onsets. Seven infants were found to have been in contact with turtles in their home, and another three had contact with turtles outside of their home. None of the matched neighborhood controls reported contact with turtles. The Salmonella serogroups identified in stools of infants that had been in contact with turtles were B, C1, C2, and F.
- Outbreak began:
- Unknown 1983
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- Puerto Rico
- Organism(s):
-
- Salmonella
- Vehicle(s):
- Animal Contact
- Molecular Results Available:
- Unknown
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Retail Store
- Brand Name(s):
- Product Subject to Recall:
- Unknown
-
- Recall Links:
- None
- Total ill:
- 10
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 10
- Number Probable Cases:
- 0
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Number Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Any Deaths:
- Unknown
- Number Dead:
- Unknown
- Any References:
- Yes