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ciguatera

pathology
Also known as: tropical food poisoning

Quick Summary

Ciguatera poisoning is an illness caused by eating certain tropical fish that have accumulated a toxic substance. This toxin is produced by some dinoflagellates and can cause poisoning even in fish that are normally edible. Ciguatera is a common form of fish poisoning in the Caribbean, affecting fish like sea bass and snapper.12

Symptoms can appear within 30 hours of consumption and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, numbness, muscle pain, and itchiness. In rare cases, it can lead to respiratory paralysis and death. The exact conditions under which these fish become toxic are not fully understood.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. ciguatera
  2. fish poisoning

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