March 29, 2004
The Department of Health today (March 29) advised the public to be extra cautious of eating large coral reef fish, particularly those weighing over two catties, as they may contain ciguatoxin which may cause food poisoning.
The advice followed seven food poisoning cases, affecting a total of 30 persons, suspected to be caused by fish containing ciguatoxin in the last 2 days. These people aged between six and 74 developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning after eating coral reef fish including areolated coral grouper and leopard coral grouper. All of them are in stable condition, including 14 in hospitals.
A spokesman for the Department said ciguatera fish poisoning is not uncommon in tropical areas. This is mainly associated with the consumption of big coral reef fish which has accumulated the toxin in its body, in particular internal organs, through eating small fish that consumes toxic algae in coral reef seas.
The larger fish is therefore more likely to carry higher amounts of the toxin. However, one cannot readily tell from the appearance of the fish if it contains the toxin. Though less common, the chance of toxin accumulating in smaller fish cannot be ruled out.
People affected may show symptoms of numbness of the mouth and the limbs, vomiting, diarrhoea, reversal of sensation of coldness and hotness, pains of the joints and muscles.
He said that most persons affected by ciguatoxin will recover without long term health effects. However, if excessive toxin is consumed, the circulatory and nervous systems will be affected.
"The toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking", the spokesman said.
To prevent ciguatera fish poisoning, the spokesman advised that the following should be observed:-