*****************************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 1) 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 a case of suspected ciguatoxin poisoning involving five people in two clusters who consumed marine fish at home in Sha Tin on the evening of November 30.
The first cluster consisted of two males and one female aged from 11 to 49. They developed symptoms of ciguatoxin poisoning including nausea, diarrhoea, numbness, and hot and cold flushes within 4.5 to 12.5 hours of eating the coral reef fish. They sought medical treatment from the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hospital and two of them were admitted. All are in a stable condition.
The second cluster involved a man and a woman, both aged 50, who developed symptoms about three to six hours after eating the fish. One of them was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital. Another person did not seek medical treatment. Both are now in a 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/Friday, December 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:09
NNNN