Tetrodotoxin poisoning associated with eating puffer fish transported from Japan--California, 1996

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1996 May 17;45(19):389-91.

Abstract

On April 29, 1996, three cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning occurred among chefs in California who shared contaminated fugu (puffer fish) brought from Japan by a co-worker as a prepackaged, ready-to-eat product. The quantity eaten by each person was minimal, ranging from approximately 1/4 to 1 1/2 oz. Onset of symptoms began approximately 3-20 minutes after ingestion, and all three persons were transported by ambulance to a local emergency department (ED). This report summarizes the investigation of these cases by the San Diego Department of Environmental Health (SDEH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • California / epidemiology
  • Fishes, Poisonous*
  • Food Preservation
  • Foodborne Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Foodborne Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Foodborne Diseases* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Tetrodotoxin / poisoning*

Substances

  • Tetrodotoxin