Food-poisoning outbreak and fatality following ingestion of sea turtle meat in the rural community of Ndrondroni, Mohéli Island, Comoros, December 2012

• The authors conducted an investigation after reports of food-poisoning in Comoros.
• They found 8 cases, among which a 6-month breastfed infant died.
• Ingestion of a toxin in Eretmochelys imbricata meat probably caused the outbreak.
• The toxin was not destroyed by cooking and affected an infant through maternal milk.
• The population was informed on the danger of turtle-meat consumption.

On 24-December-2012 newspapers reported food-poisoning cases in Ndrondroni, Comoros. The authors conducted an investigation and a case-control study to identify the source and control the outbreak. They identified eight cases. A 6-month breastfed infant died. The results suggest consumption of Eretmochelys imbricata caused the outbreak. A bio-toxin ingested by the turtle might be the source. The local authorities informed the population on the danger of turtle-meat consumption. Cooking does not destroy the toxin.