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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 3) investigating two suspected ciguatoxin poisoning cases affecting three people who have consumed coral reef fish. Notification was received following six similar reports since May 31.
The first case involved a 57-year-old woman who developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning including nausea, diarrhoea, weakness, dizziness, palpitation and lip numbness seven hours after eating a fish during dinner at home on June 1.
She was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital and is currently in stable condition.
The second case involved a man and a woman aged 72 and 69, respectively. They developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning including diarrhoea, limb numbness, weakness and dizziness about two to 10 hours after eating a fish during dinner at home on June 1.
They were admitted to Queen Mary Hospital and are currently in stable condition.
Investigation revealed that the fish in both clusters was purchased from the same market in Aberdeen, which is also involved in one of the clusters of ciguatoxin poisoning reported two days ago.
A CHP spokesman said ciguatera fish poisoning is not uncommon in tropical areas. It is mainly associated with the consumption of big coral reef fish that have accumulated the toxin in the body, in particular in internal organs, through eating small fish that consumed toxic algae in coral reef seas.
A larger fish is therefore more likely to carry higher amounts of the toxin. However, it is not easy to tell from the appearance of the fish if it contains toxin.
People affected may show symptoms of numbness of the mouth and the limbs, vomiting, diarrhoea, reversal of sensation of coldness and hotness and pain in the joints and muscles.
The spokesman said that most people affected by ciguatoxin would recover without long-term health effects.
However, if excessive toxin is consumed, the circulatory and nervous systems can be affected.
"The toxin cannot be destroyed by cooking," the spokesman said.
To prevent ciguatera fish poisoning, members of the public should observe the following measures:
* Eat less coral reef fish;
* Eat small amounts of coral reef fish at any one meal and avoid having a whole fish feast in which all the dishes come from the same big coral reef fish;
* Avoid eating the head, skin, intestines and roe of coral reef fish, which usually have a higher concentration of toxin;
* When eating coral reef fish, avoid consuming alcohol, peanuts or beans as they may aggravate ciguatoxin poisoning;
* Seek medical treatment immediately should symptoms of ciguatoxin fish poisoning appear; and
* Coral reef fish should be purchased from reputable and licensed seafood shops. Do not buy the fish when the source is doubtful.
Ends/Friday, June 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:16
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