The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (April 12) investigating a suspected puffer fish poisoning case, and hence reminded members of the public not to consume puffer fish.

     The case involves a 28-year-old man who developed dizziness and palpitation one and a half hour after consuming puffer fish at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui in the evening of April 11. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital today. The patient is now in stable condition.

     "We have alerted the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department to the incident and investigations are ongoing," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     The spokesman said that consumption of puffer fish is the main cause of food poisoning from tetrodotoxin. Tetrodotoxin is a potent neurotoxin that can affect the central nervous system.

     "Organs such as the liver, gonads and skin of puffer fish have high concentrations of tetrodotoxin. Being heat-stable, the toxin does not decompose upon cooking, boiling, drying or freezing. Tetrodotoxin intoxication can cause problems in respiration and circulation and is potentially fatal. There is no known antidote or antitoxin that can decompose tetrodotoxin. Members of the public are advised to avoid purchasing and preparing puffer fish or unknown fish for consumption to prevent tetrodotoxin-related food poisoning," the spokesman said.

Ends/Monday, April 12, 2021
Issued at HKT 20:30

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