Ciguatera information

What is Ciguatera?

            Ciguatera is a poisoning caused by ingesting fish contaminated with ciguatoxin characterized by gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms. According to the National Food Safety Database, initial gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, cramping and vomiting. These are typically followed by neurological discomforts which may include headaches, flushing, muscular aching and weakness, tingling and numbing sensation of the lips, tongue and mouth, dizziness, myalgia, and arthralgia (Otwell, 1999). In the more severe cases, temperature reversals have been reported and the symptoms may last anywhere from a few days to years. Locals typically claim that “once you get fish poisoned, you always have it” as reoccurrence of some symptoms is common, particularly after alcohol consumption or eating of ciguatoxic fish (that would normally not have affected humans).

How do you recognise a fish with Ciguatera?

            There are no ‘tell tale’ signs that let a person know that a fish is affected with the toxin. Visually, the flesh and colouration of the scales appears the same. There is no variation or change in the smell or even the taste of the fish.

            Commercially there are no tests that have been validated for the use of detecting the toxin in fishes, though research to create test kits that are both efficient and cost effect are in development.

What is the status of Ciguatera in the B.V.Is?

            Though all fish that participate in a food chain containing ciguatoxin has the potential to acquire it, some are more prone to do so than others. There are 95 such known fish species in the British Virgin Islands. Some, like the barracuda, are more notable in their ability to do so. On the whole, fishes that carry the ciguatoxin tend to be located on the south side of the islands.

            It is important to note that having the ability to acquire the toxin does not mean that any or all members of the specie will do so, or that the levels will be of a significant amount to be harmful to humans.

What is done in way of Prevention?

In the BVI, there is no official monitoring program for ciguatera. As is the case in many places, the local fishermen know of the locations prone to ciguatera and do not acquire fish in those regions. As a result it is in the best interest of individuals that are unaware of the fishing practices in the BVI to acquire all the fishes that they consume from reputable businesses, and/or commercial fishermen.

Reporting Cases

            If a person does succumb to ciguatera, after seeking treatment at the nearest medical facility the case should be reported. Reporting cases of ciguatera poisoning to the Department of Environment and Fisheries helps to create more realistic and precise data reports of the cases of ciguatera in the BVI. This in turn allows for better management of the fishes and creates opportunities to decrease and/or avoid similar occurrences in the future.

            When reporting a case of ciguatera to the department persons should be ready to inform the department of certain information, namely:

• Name of affected party

• Type of fish eaten
• How the fish was acquired
• Do you know of any other individuals that consumed the fish?