2005-05-12
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 12) reminded members of the public to be extra cautious when consuming coral reef fish as they could contain ciguatoxin which may cause food poisoning.
The appeal followed nine reports of food poisoning cases suspected to be caused by fish containing ciguatoxin. A total of 33 people were affected.
Initial investigations revealed that the affected people, 13 men and 20 women aged between 16 and 88, developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning including limb numbness, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and vomiting 30 minutes to 13 hours after eating coral reef fish on May 11.
Thirty-one of them sought medical treatment from public hospitals and 12 of them required hospitalization. They are all in stable condition.
It is reported that all the fish concerned was bought from a market in Kowloon City. The suspected fish is believed to be tiger grouper.
Investigations by the CHP and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department are continuing.
To prevent ciguatera fish poisoning, members of the public should observe the following measures:
*Eating less coral reef fish, especially fish weighing over three catties;
*Eating small amount 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 fish 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.
Members of the public should seek medical treatment immediately should symptoms of ciguatoxin fish poisoning appear.
End/Thursday, May 12, 2005