Disney World U. S. Transplant Games Roma Tomatoes 2002
The Minnesota Department of Health identified a cluster of two Salmonella Javiana cases. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the cases had been participants in of the 2002 U.S. Transplant Games held at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Athletic competitions were held for people who had received a solid organ transplant. The Games lasted four days. A web-based survey was used and game participants were asked to complete it. Survey results showed evidence of 141 illnesses in 32 states. A case-control study found significant risk associated with eating chopped, Roma tomatoes. Analysis of the tomatoes found evidence of fecal coliforms. The same strain of Salmonella Javiana was also identified in persons who had not attended the Games, but who had visited the theme park. The actual size of the outbreak was hard to determine because the total number of exposed persons was not known. Of particular importance was that so many of the cases had compromised immune systems stemming from their organ transplants and anti-rejection drugs. This fact placed these people at higher risk for illness.
- Outbreak began:
- June 2002
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- Minnesota, North Carolina
- Organism(s):
-
- Salmonella
- Vehicle(s):
- Fruit, Tomato, Chopped Roma
- Molecular Results Available:
- Yes
- Test Results:
- Unknown
- Location(s):
- Theme Park
- Brand Name(s):
- Total ill:
- 141
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Unknown
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- N/A
- Number Probable Cases:
- N/A
- Number Possible Cases:
- N/A
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- 3
- Any Deaths:
- No
- Number Dead:
- 0
- Any References:
- Yes
-
- References:
- http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5131a2.
- http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Salmonella+outbreak+
- Page 17 -- http://www.cdc.gov/eis/conference/archives/2003ProgramAbstracts.pdf