Key Update

A suspected marine toxin scare has raised concerns in Thiruvananthapuram after around 32 people sought medical treatment following the consumption of trevally (locally known as ‘vatta’) fish. One person remains in critical condition at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.

The patient, 40-year-old Sudheer from Varkala, is receiving treatment for severe symptoms, according to a food safety official. The first cases emerged on Thursday, when around six people reported discomfort after eating vatta purchased from fish markets in Varkala and Muthalapozhi harbour. More cases emerged on Friday following the recent ‘chakara’, when a large fish catch caused prices to drop sharply and increased consumption.

Food Safety Department Collects Fish Samples for Testing

The Food Safety Department has collected the remaining portion of the fish consumed by the patient from his residence, along with samples of similar fish from Varkala markets and Perumathura harbour. Authorities have sent all the samples to the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) in Kochi for analysis, said Kavitha Raj, Food Safety Officer, Varkala. According to the official, all affected individuals except the patient in critical condition have recovered and returned home.

Varkala municipality and neighbouring panchayats have issued warnings advising people against consuming the fish. As a precaution, food safety authorities have also recommended avoiding the internal organs of vatta until laboratory results become available. Varkala MLA V Joy said authorities had mobilised police and health inspection teams to check roadside fish vendors. Several vendors discarded their stocks following the inspections. He added that the situation was under control.

Lack of Marine Toxin Testing Facilities Raises Concerns

The incident has highlighted the lack of specialised facilities in Thiruvananthapuram to detect marine toxins. A food safety official said the district’s food safety laboratory cannot identify marine toxins, forcing authorities to send samples to CIFT in Kochi. The transportation process could delay the identification of potential contaminants and the response to such incidents.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning a Possibility, Says KUFOS Vice-Chancellor

A Biju Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), said ciguatera fish poisoning could be a possible cause of the incident. However, he stressed that laboratory testing is necessary to confirm it. Ciguatoxins are colourless, odourless and tasteless, and cooking does not destroy them. According to Biju Kumar, even people who consume fish from the same meal may experience different effects because the toxin may not be distributed uniformly throughout the fish and the quantity consumed can vary.

He said authorities must identify the fish species and test for ciguatoxin to establish whether it caused the suspected poisoning. He also advised people to avoid consuming the head, liver, viscera, and roe of vatta. Further, he called for a systematic surveillance mechanism to monitor toxin-producing microorganisms in marine habitats and test high-risk fish species at landing centres and markets.

Source: The Indian Express