Conch Poisoning (Ciguatera) in Bahamas

The Ministry of Health has cautioned the local population against consuming conch after 4 cases of conch poisoning occurred in New Providence. An additional 6 persons have been hospitalized with symptoms of conch poisoning. In human ciguatera poisoning, the poisonous ingredient is ciguatoxin found in some reef fish. This is a poison made in small amounts by certain algae and algae-like organisms in the ocean. When environmental conditions are right, other organisms such as mollusks (conch) can eat the algae and be contaminated with this poison.

Advice

Travellers should ask local vendors about the processes they employ during the preparation of conch dishes since conch meat should be washed with fresh water, and not salt water. The toxin is odorless and tasteless, and cooking does not destroy the toxin. The toxin causes symptoms in gastrointestinal, cardiac, and nerve tissues of humans. Symptoms in people generally begin 6-8 hr after eating the contaminated fish but can occur as early as 2 or as late as 24 hours after ingestion. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, numbness, tingling, abdominal pain, dizziness, and vertigo. There is no specific antitoxin available for ciguatera toxin.