5 Pufferfish Poisoning Cases Reported In Sabah 2 Hospitalised

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Sabah health director Dr Maria Suleiman advised the public not to consume pufferfish, warning that death can occur within six to 24 hours in severe cases. (Envato Elements pic)
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has reported five suspected cases of pufferfish poisoning this month, with two victims still hospitalised and receiving treatment.
State health director Dr Maria Suleiman said one case was recorded in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 10, and four others, involving a family, were reported in Kota Marudu yesterday.
“The victims, aged 15 to 48, experienced symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, numbness in the hands and feet, and difficulty breathing after consuming pufferfish bought from a market,” Maria said in a statement today.
She said the state health department was aware of the incident, which has been circulating on social media.
Three of the victims have been discharged, while two remain hospitalised in stable condition.
Maria said pufferfish contain a neurotoxin known as tetrodotoxin (TTX), which can cause symptoms of poisoning within 10 to 45 minutes of consumption.
“In severe cases, death can occur within six to 24 hours,” she said, adding that TTX is not limited to pufferfish but can be found in other marine species such as horseshoe crabs and certain sea snails (the Naticidae and Nassariidae species) as well as amphibians like poison frogs.
“The department has implemented control and preventive measures, including providing health education to the affected individuals and the local community,” she said.
The public is urged to avoid consuming foods suspected of containing TTX and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of poisoning. - FMT

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