Jacksonville, Fla. – The Florida Poison Information Center/Jacksonville has alerted the Florida Department of Health of five cases of neurotoxin poisoning from Florida residents eating blowfish. These cases are similar to the three New Jersey residents recently poisoned by blowfish caught in Florida.
These five cases occurred early in January and February of this year and do not include any residents from Duval County. The individuals who have suffered from neurotoxin exposure reside in Volusia and Brevard counties.
“I recommend that people do not eat blowfish until we can figure out what is happening,” said Jay Schauben, Pharm.D., a University of Florida clinical professor and director of FPIC in Jacksonville.
The Department of Health is following up on the identified cases while the Florida Marine Research Institute is actively involved in catching blowfish and having them analyzed.
In mild cases, neurotoxin poisoning causes symptoms of numbness and tingling of the lips, fingers and toes. More severe cases can cause paralysis or respiratory arrest.