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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 23) reminded members of the public to be extra cautious when consuming coral reef fish as they could contain ciguatoxin, which could cause food poisoning.
The appeal followed three reports of suspected ciguatoxin poisoning involving nine people over the weekend.
In the first case, two men, one woman and a boy aged from 7 to 78 developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning including limb numbness, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain about 2.5 to 10.5 hours after eating a coral reef fish in a restaurant in Cheung Sha Wan on the evening of January 21.
The four sought medical treatment at Caritus Medical Centre. One of them was admitted and is now in a stable condition.
On January 22, three other people comprising a man and two women aged from 27 to 58, consumed a coral reef fish during dinner at home in Yau Ma Tei. They developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning about 7.5 to 8.5 hours afterwards.
The three sought treatment at Kwong Wah Hospital. One of them was admitted and is now in a stable condition.
In the third case, two women aged 40 and 57 consumed a coral reef fish at home in Kwai Chung on the evening of January 22. They developed symptoms about eight to 10 hours afterwards.
The two sought medical attention at Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital respectively and were both admitted. They are now in a stable condition.
The CHP's investigations revealed that the fish involved in the cases were believed to be Lyretail, a type of grouper.
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, viscera and roe of coral reef fish, which usually have higher concentration of toxins.
* When eating coral reef fish, avoid consuming alcohol, peanuts or beans as they may aggravate ciguatoxin poisoning.
* Seeking 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/Monday, January 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:51
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