Thyroid Illness Investigation in South Dakota

In 1985, a mysterious illness affected 121 people in South Dakota and Minnesota, causing symptoms like heart issues and weight loss. Initial investigations were inconclusive until Dr. McMillan linked the outbreak to ground beef containing animal thyroid. The CDC confirmed the cause, leading to new USDA guidelines. All affected individuals recovered, and the case became a teaching example for epidemiologists.

What symptoms did the residents of South Dakota and Minnesota experience during the mysterious illness outbreak in 1985?

• Irregular heart rhythms and weight gain

• Irregular heart rhythms and weight loss

• Regular heart rhythms and weight loss

• Regular heart rhythms and weight gain

What did Dr. Michael Macmillan initially find unusual about the thyroid complaints in South Dakota?

• The thyroids were overactive

• The thyroids were enlarged

• The thyroids were normal in x-rays

• The thyroids were missing

What was the CDC's main concern when investigating the outbreak?

• It was a new type of flu

• It was a new virus or disease

• It was caused by contaminated water

• It was a result of poor hygiene

What did Dr. Macmillan discover about the grocery store's ground beef?

• It was imported from another country

• It was contaminated with bacteria

• It was undercooked

• It contained animal thyroids

How did the USDA respond to the findings of the investigation?

• They banned all ground beef sales

• They implemented new meat processing guidelines

• They recalled all meat products

• They closed the affected grocery stores