The ocean has countless seafood species, including those carrying toxins that are difficult to recognize. Even, even knowing clearly, just a small mistake in processing can cause life-threatening poisoning.
According to the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Health, from the beginning of 2025 to now, the province has recorded 2 cases of toad poisoning, causing 17 people to be hospitalized, of which 1 person died.
Most recently, on October 15, in Phan Ri Cua commune (Lam Dong province), a toad poisoning incident occurred, causing 6 people to be hospitalized for emergency care.
Mr. Vo Minh Chien - Chairman of the Commune People's Committee - said that this group of people were all local fishermen. After the sea trip, they brought toch to their home to prepare for eating on the afternoon of October 15, and the next morning, they showed symptoms of poisoning.
According to Binh Thuan General Hospital, from the night of October 15 to the morning of October 16, 4 people were taken to the emergency room in a state of fatigue, including chest tightness, numb lips, numb head and limbs...
In which, patient T.T.N (born in 1993) was in critical condition and had to have an endotracheal tube. By the afternoon of October 16, 2 more people were hospitalized. Patient N has a serious prognosis and is out of danger.
Previously, on January 5, in Lien Huong commune (Lam Dong province), there was also a yellow roof fish poisoning incident, causing 6 people to be hospitalized and 1 person to die. The toad fish is caught by fishermen and processed into um.
In addition to to to fish, many other seafood such as pink bananas caught offshore, sea cucumbers... also contain Tetrodotoxin, which can cause muscle paralysis, respiratory arrest and death if eaten. This toxin does not decompose even when cooked.
Faced with the risk of food poisoning due to natural toxins in toad and some other seafood, the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Health recommends that the Department of Agriculture and localities strengthen propaganda and recommend that people absolutely do not fish for toad, buy, sell, process or consume in any form.
According to doctors at Binh Thuan General Hospital, the only way to prevent toad poisoning is not to eat toad fish.
Despite being warned many times, due to subjectivity and thinking that "eating tai chi is fine", some fishermen still consider toad fish as a specialty, leading to unfortunate poisoning cases.
