Deadly puffer fish meal

Saturday June 21, 2008

JOHOR BARU: Two people have died after eating the poisonous puffer fish or ikan buntal, believed to be the first such reported cases in the country.

State Health department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said a 54-year-old woman from Kota Tinggi and another 83-year-old woman from Kulai died from eating the fish on May 7 and June 4 respectively.

He added that 34 others from various places in the state, including here, Batu Pahat and Pontian, suffered food poisoning from eating the fish, between May 6 and June 10.

“The 34 have recovered fully,” he said here yesterday, adding that no more such cases were reported after June 10.

Although this was the first time such cases were reported, he did not rule out the possibility this may have happened before as the fish had been sold in the state over the past few years.

The puffer fish contains tetrodotoxin, a natural and lethal poison, and if the fish is not correctly cut or prepared, is very dangerous to eat. The toxin causes numbness in the mouth and attacks the nervous system, causing respiratory problems, and sometimes results in death.

Dr Mohd Khairi said the Health Ministry was warning the public not to buy or eat puffer fish, which has been mostly sold in night markets across the state.

It is believed that supply of the fish came from Kuantan.

“We seriously caution people from eating the fish, and have circulated posters and fliers warning people about eating it.

“Our officers are monitoring premises and markets in the affected areas, and we are stopping the sale of the fish anywhere it is found,” Dr Mohd Khairi added.

He advised those who fell ill after eating the fish to seek immediate medical treatment.

Those with information on the sale of the fish were urged to contact the department or nearest health offices.