A study reports that eating sea turtles is linked to 420 fatalities and over 2,400 cases of chelonitoxism. Recent incidents include deaths in the Philippines and Tanzania. Symptoms of the poisoning can be severe, and recovery usually occurs within a week. Hawksbill turtles are primarily responsible for poisonings, with all turtle organs potentially toxic.
A recent study indicates that consuming sea turtles poses significant health risks, with about 420 fatalities and 2,400 cases of illness linked to a rare seafood poisoning known as chelonitoxism. The most recent reported incident occurred in the Philippines, resulting in three deaths and the hospitalization of 32 individuals following the consumption of an endangered turtle prepared in stew. In a prior incident, nine individuals died in Tanzania after eating sea turtle meat in March 2024.
Chelonitoxism, also referred to as sea turtle poisoning, affects the upper digestive system, leading to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Additional symptoms may include dizziness, malaise, and sweating. Although most individuals recover within a week, severe cases can lead to glossitis, dysphagia, drowsiness, multi-organ failure, coma, or even death.
The study assessed 62 documented chelonitoxism incidents, with at least 2,424 individuals experiencing health issues and 420 reported fatalities. The majority of these cases were documented in remote regions of the Indo-Pacific, including Zanzibar, Madagascar, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and several island nations.
Notably, the study indicates that nearly 70% of all chelonitoxism cases occurred in Madagascar, India, French Polynesia, Sri Lanka, and Papua New Guinea. Interestingly, 31% of illegal turtle exploitation took place in Haiti, while cases of turtle poisoning appear rare in the Caribbean and Atlantic regions, potentially due to underreporting associated with illegal consumption practices. The study posits that actual poisoning cases are likely higher than reported.
Hawksbill turtles are chiefly responsible for reported poisonings, accounting for 59% of cases, followed by green turtles at 23%. Other species implicated include loggerhead, flatback, olive ridley, and leatherback turtles. Reports suggest that all organs of turtles can be toxic, regardless of how the meat is prepared, and eggs are sometimes consumed for their perceived aphrodisiac properties.
Also noteworthy is that breastfed infants may experience poisoning from sea turtles due to toxins that can transfer through breast milk. The study proposes intravenous lipid emulsion treatment as a potential remedy for victims of sea turtle poisoning, a method previously proven effective in treating sea turtles with brevetoxicosis.
The study highlights the grave health risks associated with the consumption of sea turtles, linking it to numerous fatalities and cases of poisoning worldwide. Specifically, chelonitoxism results from toxin exposure through turtle meat, affecting many individuals, particularly in remote regions. The findings suggest that awareness and reporting of such cases need to be improved, due to the illegal nature of turtle consumption. Overall, the study underscores the urgent need for public health education regarding the dangers of consuming sea turtles and enforcing protective measures for these endangered species.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
