Ciguatera fish poisoning in a Jamaican family

ABSTRACT

Five people who ate fish at an evening meal became ill 6-8 hours later. Early symptoms included diarrhoea, vomiting, leg weakness and parasthesia. Emergency management for three patients took place in a Casualty Department and they were discharged within 8 hours. However, while the patients were recovering, a variety of other symptoms developed but they were able to return to school and work within 1-2 weeks, though symptoms persisted for some weeks thereafter. This small outbreak of ciguatera fish poisoning highlights the need for more information about this disease among the general public and the medical profession (AU)