Ciguatera

Ciguatera is a marine toxin illness which can result from eating large coral reef fish (such as grouper, red snapper, barracuda and hogfish, among others).  Symptoms of ciguatera usually appear within 6-24 hours of eating the contaminated fish, and can include:

• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Unusual sensations (such as aching in the muscles, joints or teeth, tingling in the hands or feet and painful urination)

The classic symptom of ciguatera is that cold things feel hot to the touch or “burn.”  These symptoms can recur for weeks or months after initial exposure. 

While there is no FDA-approved method for testing fish for the presence of the ciguatera toxin, there are several ways to reduce your risk.  If you do fish the reefs, avoid eating large fish, especially of the species known to carry ciguatera (including barracuda, red snapper, grouper and hogfish).  Also, ask locals for advice about species or areas to avoid.  Cooking or freezing fish does not destroy ciguatoxin, and the contaminated fish does not smell, look or taste bad.

In the past, it was thought that there was nothing that could be done to treat this illness, but it is now possible to effectively treat ciguatera if diagnosed within the first 2-3 days after eating the contaminated fish.  A physician can administer a drug called Mannitol intravenously to help flush the toxin from the body and prevent the long term recurrence of symptoms.  After 2-3 days of exposure, avoidance of dehydration and certain foods (such as caffeine, nuts, and fish) may help prevent the recurrence of symptoms.

For more information about how to safely enjoy Florida fish go to http://www.floridamarine.org/ or the Florida Department of Health Aquatic Toxins Program at 850 245 4299. 

 http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/aquatic/index.html
[Add link to pdf of poster, Q&A]