1 dead, 7 down after eating fish

Puffer fush (google image)

CARCAR CITY

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas (BFAR-7) warns the public against eating any type of pufferfish following a food poisoning incident in Carcar City, southern Cebu, which resulted in the death of a 54-year-old man yesterday.

Aside from the victim, Federito Solon, seven others were brought to the Carcar District Hospital for medical assistance after eating a type of pufferfish locally known as panubugan in Barangay Liburon.

Solon, who was initially brought to the same hospital, was eventually referred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City due to his severe medical condition, where he died at around 7:00 a.m., Thursday.

According to Liburon Barangay Councilor Lucio Lastima, the fish was caught by a certain Geronimo Cuizon Jr., a local fisherman, who was Solon’s neighbor.

Solon and his group were reportedly having a drinking session, Tuesday night, when Cuizon passed by and offered the fish he caught to go with their drinks.

Those who ate the bihod or fish eggs landed in the hospital, while those who ate only the meat were okay, said Lastima.

All the victims had swollen faces and complained of dizziness.

A certain Gerry Raagas, 52, remains in the hospital although in stable condition, said Cebu Provincial Health Officer Dr. Rene Catan.

Following the incident, BFAR-7 regional director Dr. Allan Poquita advised the public to no longer eat any kind of pufferfish as this contains poisonous substances that may harm humans and even result in death.

The National Geographic describes pufferfish to contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and potentially deadly to other fish. It could also be lethal to humans.

There is enough poison in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans and there is no known antidote, the report further said.