The Superintendence of Public Health warned today against consumption of puffer fish (Tetraodontidae) since it may contain potent and deadly toxins which can cause severe illness and death even if the fish is frozen or cooked.
The superintendence said that although the fish is rare around Malta, it had received reports that this fish is now being caught by Maltese fishing enthusiasts.
The highest concentration of the toxins in the puffer fish is found in the ovaries, liver, intestines and skin. Symptoms following ingestion of such fish occur within minutes and rarely later than 6 hours after ingestion. These may include numbness of lips, the face and extremities, sweating, weakness, tremor, incoordination, cyanosis, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Cardiac arrythmias may precede complete respiratory failure and...
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