Pufferfish Poisoning Hits Sabahans

Four members of a family have been rushed to hospital with suspected toxin poisoning after consuming pufferfish, the latest in a series of such cases in the state. The victims, aged between 15 and 48, experienced dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, numbness in their hands and feet, and difficulty breathing after eating pufferfish cooked at home in Kota Marudu on Friday.

A similar case was reported on Jan 10 in Kota Kinabalu, involving one person. All five received medical attention, and three have since been discharged. The remaining two are still under hospital care but are in stable condition.

There have been several cases of pufferfish poisoning in the state recently, with the government even mulling a ban on the sale of the fish. A patient is said to have developed neurological symptoms an hour after consuming the fish recently, also in Kota Marudu, while a 48-year-old man is also believed to have developed signs after consuming pufferfish purchased from a night market.

The health department has taken preventive measures, including educating people about the dangers of eating pufferfish. Pufferfish contains tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that can cause severe poisoning. Other marine species, such as horseshoe crabs and certain shellfish, may also carry similar toxins.

The authorities urge the public to exercise caution when consuming seafood, particularly species known to contain natural toxins.