4 family members in Ho Chi Minh City hospitalized with severe poisoning after eating red grouper

A doctor from Thu Duc General Hospital confirmed on Wednesday that the hospital had recently admitted the family–two parents and their daughters aged 13 and 15, residents of Linh Xuan Ward, after they developed symptoms shortly following the meal.

They experienced persistent abdominal pain, diarrhea, repeated vomiting, and extreme fatigue.

Upon admission, the two girls were found to have bradycardia, or abnormally slow heart rates, along with low blood pressure.

After initial assessment and emergency management, they were transferred to the hospital’s pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit for continuous monitoring.

During treatment, the girls were closely observed for vital signs and received supportive care.

Their gastrointestinal symptoms gradually subsided, while fatigue and dizziness improved.

Also, their heart rates and blood pressure eventually stabilized.

The parents were also transferred to the hospital’s intensive care and toxicology department for further monitoring and treatment.

After more than three days of hospitalization, all four family members showed significant clinical improvement.

Their vital signs remained stable, no complications were recorded, and they were discharged in good health.

Doctors said that the simultaneous onset of symptoms in multiple individuals after consuming the same seafood meal was an important diagnostic clue.

Combined with the fact that the fish consumed was grouper, a species that typically inhabits coral reef ecosystems, and the presence of digestive and cardiovascular disturbances, the medical team strongly suspected ciguatera fish poisoning caused by ciguatoxin.

Ciguatera poisoning is a form of marine fish poisoning that not only triggers gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, but can also cause fatigue and dizziness.

In some cases, patients may develop neurological symptoms including tingling around the mouth and in the extremities, as well as vertigo.

Besides, the toxin can affect the cardiovascular system, leading to a slow heart rate and low blood pressure.

Such cases require close monitoring and intensive care at medical facilities.

Ciguatoxin originates from microscopic marine algae and accumulates in fish through the food chain.

The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or conventional food preparation methods, making it difficult for consumers to detect any risk based on taste, smell or appearance.

Fish that live or feed near coral reefs, particularly larger species such as grouper, snapper, barracuda, eel and amberjack, carry a higher risk of toxin accumulation.

Health experts warn that ciguatera poisoning can be unpredictable in its progression and there is currently no specific antidote.

Treatment primarily involves supportive care, close monitoring, and timely intervention when systemic or cardiovascular symptoms arise.

Even when gastrointestinal symptoms subside, patients may remain at risk of developing or experiencing prolonged neurological or cardiovascular disturbances, underscoring the need for medical observation.

Dr. Nguyen Ha Phuong, head of the pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit at Thu Duc General Hospital, noted that ciguatera poisoning presents with varied symptoms and can progress differently from one patient to another.

In suspected cases of seafood-related poisoning, she emphasized, prompt medical evaluation and monitoring are essential, even if initial symptoms appear mild.