Symptoms of FISH POISONING

Fish with surface bacteria in coastal states and Hawaii may release histidine. This compound causes flushing, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Bacteria in carnivorous reef fish off Hawaii, Florida, and the Caribbean produce vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Numbness of the lips and fingertips may occur in associated with other neurological symptoms including blurred vision, headache, tremor, and poor balance. Mollusks which have been consumed that have been exposed to red tide produce headaches, poor balance and coordination, double vision, varying degrees of weakness or paralysis, and tingling around the mouth and in the hands. The death rate from this particular contamination can run as high as 8-9%. Puffer fish toxin produces lethargy, weakness, incoordination of the arms, legs and trunk, difficulty swallowing and various degrees of paralysis. The mortality rate for this runs as high as 59%.