An Outbreak of Cholera in Maryland Associated with Imported Commercial Frozen Fresh Coconut Milk

• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/167.6.1330
• Publication Date: 2011-03-18T14:22:25Z
• Authors: J. L. Taylor; J. Tuttle; T. Pramukul; K. O. Brien; T. J. Barrett; B. Jolbitado; Y. L. Lim; D. Vugia; J. G. Morris; R. V. Tauxe; D. M. Dwyer
• Keywords: Cholera; El Tor; Food contaminant

In August 1991, the first outbreak of cholera associated with an imported commercial food product occurred among persons attending a private picnic. An epidemiologic investigation showed infection toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa, in 4 6 who had consumed coconut milk from Thailand. addition, US Food and Drug Administration recovered V. 1 unopened bags same brand (but different shipment) as that by infected persons. Investigation Thailand manufacturing process implicated several sanitary violations, suggesting contamination during production. This suggests model entrance into population shows need to evaluate current methods maintaining safety foods United States.