There are different types of fish and sea food poisoning. However, the most common is ciguatera (seeg-wha-terra) fish poisoning.

Poisonous ingredient:

Ciguatera poisoning results from the eating of reef fish affected with ciguatoxin, hence the name ciguatera poisoning. This toxin is made in small amounts by certain algae (sea plants) that colonize coral reefs in warm tropical waters such as the Caribbean and Pacific regions.

The toxin first affects the coral grazing fish and is then passed up the food chain to the larger fishes( moray eel, snapper, grouper, amberjack, barracuda, sea bass, etc.) and finally to man. The toxin becomes more concentrated as it moves up the food chain and it is not affected by cooking, freezing, drying and the acid from the stomach (digestion).

The toxin accumulates more in the fish roe, liver, guts, head and skin. Ciguateric fish do not have any symptoms and therefore cannot be identified by inspection, appearance, smell, taste and texture.

How to detect ciguatera

fish poisoning

Within 3-24 hours of eating contaminated fish, a person can experience classic food poisoning gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps). These symptoms are the first to appear and may last 1 to 2 days. The victim may also suffer from neurological symptoms such as tingling and numbness in the mouth and limbs, itching, joint and muscle pains, dizziness, the sense that one’s teeth are loose and about to fall out and the inability to distinguish between hot and cold. There may also be cardiovascular symptoms(very rare) and may include weakness, breathing problems, low blood pressure and low heart rate which can turn lethal.

Ciguatera fish poisoning is rarely deadly and usually the symptoms resolve within days. But in a small number of cases the neurological symptoms persist or recur periodically for months or even years, because the body stores ciguatoxin in fat tissue and over time they slowly leach out attacking the nerves of the body.

What to do if I am poisoned?

If such poisoning is suspected the victim should seek immediate medical attention where the treatment is supportive and symptomatic. The sooner the diagnosis is made the quicker the symptoms can be treated and any fatal outcome avoided. REFRAIN FROM HOME REMEDIES!!!!!

Can I prevent Ciguatera Fish Poisoning?

Avoiding consumption of tropical reef fish is the only true method of prevention. Although this method is not practical in all circumstances, the following can decrease the incidence of ciguatoxin poisoning: