Health authorities have issued an urgent warning to residents and visitors of the Cassowary Coast region following several reported cases of ciguatera poisoning. The warning comes after multiple individuals suffered from the illness after consuming large reef fish, including coral trout and Spanish mackerel.
What is Ciguatera Poisoning?
Ciguatera poisoning is a type of food poisoning caused by eating large tropical fish that carry a toxin produced by marine microalgae. The toxin accumulates in predatory fish such as coral trout, Spanish mackerel, red emperor, wrasse, coral cod, surgeonfish, trevally, and yellowtail kingfish. These fish are commonly found in the waters off the Cassowary Coast.
Symptoms to Watch For
Within 24 hours of consuming contaminated fish, symptoms may appear. These include tingling and numbness in the fingers, toes, lips, tongue, mouth, and throat. Some individuals experience a burning sensation or skin pain upon contact with cold water. Other symptoms include joint and muscle pain with muscular weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, fatigue, fainting, extreme itchiness worsened by alcohol consumption, and difficulty breathing in severe cases.
Precautionary Measures
Health authorities advise that any warm-water predatory fish weighing over 6 kilograms should be treated with suspicion. Under no circumstances should the head, roe (eggs), or liver of these fish be eaten, as these parts contain the highest concentration of toxins. To minimize risk, authorities recommend eating only a small portion of large reef fish—no more than 300 grams—and waiting 24 hours to check for any reaction before consuming more.
What to Do If Symptoms Develop
If you develop symptoms after eating reef fish, seek medical advice immediately. Contact your general practitioner, call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84), or use Queensland's virtual emergency services via www.healthdirect.gov.au. Prompt medical attention is essential to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
The Cairns Public Health Unit continues to monitor the situation and urges everyone in the Cassowary Coast region to stay informed and exercise caution when consuming large reef fish.
