Press Release

Report of ciguatera poisoning under investigation

8 June 2005

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a suspected case of ciguatera poisoning involving seven people.

The case involved two males and five females, aged from six to 50, who developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning, such as limbs numbness, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, six to 14 hours after eating a large grouper in a restaurant in Western District in the evening of June 5.

Their symptoms were generally mild and four of them sought medical attention from Queen Mary Hospital. They are all in stable condition and none of them required hospitalization.

To prevent ciguatera fish poisoning, members of the public are advised to observe the following measures:

• Coral reef fish should be purchased from reputable and licensed seafood shops. Do not buy it when the source is doubtful;
• Eating small amount of coral reef fish at any one meal and avoiding to have a "whole fish feast" in which all the dishes come from the same big coral reef fish;
• Avoid eating the head, skin, viscera and roe of coral reef fish which usually have higher concentration of toxin;
• When eating coral reef fish, avoid consuming alcohol, peanuts or beans as they may aggravate ciguatoxin poisoning; and
• Seeking medical treatment immediately should symptoms of ciguatoxin fish poisoning appear.