Consecutive hospitalizations after seafood meals
In just 2 days, the Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital received two groups of patients with symptoms of neurotoxine after eating sea fish. Both clusters of cases were diagnosed with ciguatoxin poisoning - a colorless, unscented, tasteless toxin that can cause digestive, neurological, cardiovascular disorders and leave prolonged sequelae.
On the evening of July 24, a group of 14 people from two families traveled to Ky Anh beach (Ha Tinh), organizing a dinner with goldfish, shrimp and oyster dishes. By dawn on July 25, many people had symptoms of numbness in the mouth, muscle pain, joint fatigue, diarrhea and chest tightness. That same evening, 4 people in the group were transferred to the Poison Control Center (Bach Mai Hospital) in a state of numbness and pain all over their bodies. The doctor determined that the patients were poisoned by ciguatera. After intensive treatment, their health was stable and they were discharged from the hospital.
Less than 24 hours later, at noon on July 26, a family of 4 in Hai Phong continued to be hospitalized after eating processed pink fish. The whole family had symptoms of diarrhea, muscle pain, nausea and sensory disorders. The mother and daughter showed signs of neurological disorders, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and burning sensation when touching cold water. Doctors determined that this was also a case of ciguatera poisoning.
"Invisible" and unpredictable toxins in marine fish
According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen - Director of the Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, ciguatera poisoning is the most common type of marine fish poisoning, but is easily overlooked due to odorless, unscented toxins, not destroyed by heat or processing method.
The origin of this toxin comes from the Gambierdiscus toxicus microalgae that live in coral reefs, gradually accumulating through the food chain from small fish to large fish. Fish species such as catfish, pink fish, eels, purple carp, orange carp, sturgeon, congee fish, mackerel... are species at high risk of accumulating ciguatoxin.
Symptoms often start a few hours after eating and last for many days, even months. Patients may experience diarrhea, nausea, numbness in the mouth, muscle pain, hot-colored disorders, slow heart rate, and low blood pressure. There is currently no specific detox drug, treatment is mainly symptomatic support.
"People should limit eating high-risk marine fish species, especially not eating fish organs. If you want to eat, you should still choose fish to raise to avoid the risk of natural poisoning, Dr. Nguyen recommended.
In case there are signs of suspected poisoning after eating seafood, it is necessary to go to a medical facility immediately for timely emergency care to avoid serious complications or prolonged neurological sequelae.
