Ciguatera fish poisoning Ciguatera fish poisoning Ciguatera fish poisoning, also known simply as ciguatera, is a foodborne illness caused by eating reef fish whose flesh is contaminated with certain toxins. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, numbness, itchiness, sensitivity to hot and cold, dizziness, and weakness. The onset of symptoms varies with the amount of toxin eaten from half an hour to up to two days. The diarrhea may last for up to four days. Some symptoms typically remain for a few weeks to months. Heart difficulties such as slow heart rate and low blood pressure may also occur. The specific toxins involved are
Alaria (trematode) haemorrhage which can lead to clinical disease. Paratenic hosts also become infected when eating the contaminated intermediate host, either tadpoles or frogs. The mesocercariae remain in organs such as the muscles, connective tissue or lungs, and eyes. They are mostly harmless in dogs as well as the paratenic hosts. However, prevalence of "Alaria" in dogs in the United States and foxes in Germany are up to 30%. Unfortunately for humans, it can be quite harmful and even cause death. Humans can be infected by ingesting "Alaria" larvae, which can be from eating undercooked frog legs or contaminated boar or pig