Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Hong Kong
In the present review, the main objective was to describe the epidemiology and clinical features of ciguatera fish poisoning in Hong Kong. From 1989 to 2008, the annual incidence of ciguatera varied between 3.3 and 64.9 (median 10.2) per million people. The groupers have replaced the snappers as th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2014-10-01
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| Series: | Toxins |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/6/10/2989 |
| _version_ | 1811299534201946112 |
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| author | Thomas Y. K. Chan |
| author_facet | Thomas Y. K. Chan |
| author_sort | Thomas Y. K. Chan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the present review, the main objective was to describe the epidemiology and clinical features of ciguatera fish poisoning in Hong Kong. From 1989 to 2008, the annual incidence of ciguatera varied between 3.3 and 64.9 (median 10.2) per million people. The groupers have replaced the snappers as the most important cause of ciguatera. Pacific-ciguatoxins (CTX) are most commonly present in reef fish samples implicated in ciguatera outbreaks. In affected subjects, the gastrointestinal symptoms often subside within days, whereas the neurological symptoms can persist for weeks or even months. Bradycardia and hypotension, which can be life-threatening, are common. Treatment of ciguatera is primarily supportive and symptomatic. Intravenous mannitol (1 g/kg) has also been suggested. To prevent ciguatera outbreaks, the public should be educated to avoid eating large coral reef fishes, especially the CTX-rich parts. A Code of Practice on Import and Sale of Live Marine Fish for Human Consumption for Prevention and Control of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning was introduced from 2004 to 2013. The Food Safety Ordinance with a tracing mechanism came into full effect in February 2012. The Government would be able to trace the sources of the fishes more effectively and take prompt action when dealing with ciguatera incidents. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:37:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3041882530e44ff9b18bb6ceb26e454f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:37:17Z |
| publishDate | 2014-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj.art-3041882530e44ff9b18bb6ceb26e454f2022-12-22T02:57:51ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512014-10-016102989299710.3390/toxins6102989toxins6102989Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Hong KongThomas Y. K. Chan0Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Drug and Poisons Information Bureau, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, ChinaIn the present review, the main objective was to describe the epidemiology and clinical features of ciguatera fish poisoning in Hong Kong. From 1989 to 2008, the annual incidence of ciguatera varied between 3.3 and 64.9 (median 10.2) per million people. The groupers have replaced the snappers as the most important cause of ciguatera. Pacific-ciguatoxins (CTX) are most commonly present in reef fish samples implicated in ciguatera outbreaks. In affected subjects, the gastrointestinal symptoms often subside within days, whereas the neurological symptoms can persist for weeks or even months. Bradycardia and hypotension, which can be life-threatening, are common. Treatment of ciguatera is primarily supportive and symptomatic. Intravenous mannitol (1 g/kg) has also been suggested. To prevent ciguatera outbreaks, the public should be educated to avoid eating large coral reef fishes, especially the CTX-rich parts. A Code of Practice on Import and Sale of Live Marine Fish for Human Consumption for Prevention and Control of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning was introduced from 2004 to 2013. The Food Safety Ordinance with a tracing mechanism came into full effect in February 2012. The Government would be able to trace the sources of the fishes more effectively and take prompt action when dealing with ciguatera incidents.http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/6/10/2989ciguateraciguatoxinsgroupersHong Kong |
| spellingShingle | Thomas Y. K. Chan Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Hong Kong Toxins ciguatera ciguatoxins groupers Hong Kong |
| title | Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Hong Kong |
| title_full | Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Hong Kong |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Hong Kong |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Hong Kong |
| title_short | Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning in Hong Kong |
| title_sort | epidemiology and clinical features of ciguatera fish poisoning in hong kong |
| topic | ciguatera ciguatoxins groupers Hong Kong |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/6/10/2989 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT thomasykchan epidemiologyandclinicalfeaturesofciguaterafishpoisoninginhongkong |