Skip to main content

Ciguatera

Confirmed Case

  • Clinical illness [1] within 24 hours to several days of eating at risk fish [2];
    AND
  • Presence of ciguatera toxin.

Probable Case

  • Clinical illness [1] within 24 hours to several days of eating at risk fish [2].

Notes 

  1. Clinical illness defined as: gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, nausea) within 24 hours, and/or neurological symptoms (temperature dysesthesia [i.e. touch cold/hot objects and feel opposite temperature], paresthesia [numbness] in extremities, generalized pruritis, blurry vison, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fatigue). Symptoms can last days to weeks but complete recovery is expected.
  2. At risk fish include: tropical reef fish (e.g., barracuda, grouper, snapper, amberjack, and surgeonfish) from Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean or Pacific Ocean tropics (e.g. Hawaii). These fish are often privately-caught and NOT temperature-abused. 
SOURCE: Ciguatera ( )
Page printed: . Unofficial document if printed. Please refer to SOURCE for latest information.

Copyright © BC Centre for Disease Control. All Rights Reserved.

    Copyright © 2024 Provincial Health Services Authority.