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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 6) is investigating three suspected ciguatoxin poisoning affecting eight people who had consumed coral reef fish.
The first case involved two males and one female, aged from two to 28. They developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning, including facial and limb numbness, weakness, vomiting and diahorrea, about four to eight hours after eating a coral reef fish at home on May 4 night.
All sought medical treatment. Two of them required hospitalisation and they are now in stable condition in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH).
In the second case, a 34-yer-old man developed similar symptoms about 3 hours after consuming a coral reef fish at home during dinner on May 4. He is in now stable condition in the PYNEH.
The third case affected two males and two females aged from 3 to 50. They developed similar symptoms about 3 to 6 hours after eating a coral reef fish in a restaurant on May 3. All sought medical attention and one of them was admitted to Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in stable condition.
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.
* Coral reef fish should be purchased from reputable and licensed seafood shops. Do not buy it when the source is doubtful.
Ends/Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:17
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