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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 22) called on people not to consume puffer fish following a report of suspected poisoning case associated with the fish.
The case involved a 52-year-old seaman who developed slurring of speech, numbness around the mouth and on his limbs as well as limbs weakness about four hours after consuming a puffer yesterday (October 21). He caught the fish in Hong Kong waters. He was admitted to Kwong Wah Hospital yesterday and is now in stable condition.
A CHP spokesman said puffer fish contained tetrodotoxin, a heat-stable toxin which did not decompose with boiling or cooking.
"Toxins are most concentrated in the organs such as liver, gonads and skin.Avoiding eating puffer fish is the best way to prevent puffer fish poisoning," the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, October 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:58
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