Interesting mystery.
-Liz ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2004 17:36:11
-0500 (EST) From: ProMED-mail Subject: PRO/EDR> Food poisoning -
Australia (VIC)(02) FOOD POISONING - AUSTRALIA (VICTORIA) (02)
****************************************** A ProMED-mail post
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious
Diseases [1] Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2004 16:33:49 +1100 From: Marion Carey In
relation to the report of gastroenteritis after eating fish from Lake
Nagambie and surrounding watercourses (Victoria, Australia) we are able
to provide the following information: A total of 7 cases of
gastroenteritis have been reported after eating redfin (English perch)
over a 19 day period in Oct 2004. The index case was an 11 year old boy
who was hospitalized after developing profuse vomiting, disorientation,
and hallucinations. Only 1 other case had specific neurological
symptoms. Other symptoms experienced by cases included abdominal pain,
headache, sweating, weakness and dizziness. There appears to be a
dose-response relationship, with those who eat more fish being more ill.
The incubation period varies from around 30 minutes to 24 hours. Sources
of toxicity which are being explored are cyanobacterial toxins, heavy
metals, and pesticides. No algal blooms have been noted recently in the
water sources, and testing has not revealed any evidence of an algal
problem. The symptoms of the index case were ciguatera-like, however
ciguatera poisoning occurs where there are dinoflagellates associated
with tropical marine reefs. This ecosystem is a freshwater lake in a
temperate climate. Redfin (_Perca fluviatilis_) are an introduced
species living in still and slowly flowing waters. They are carnivorous,
feeding on a wide variety of foods, and are known to carry the Epizootic
Haematopoietic Necrosis virus, which is transmissible to other fish.
Their characteristics suggest the possibility of bioaccumulation of a
toxin, but the nature of this toxin has so far been elusive. - -- Dr
Marion Carey Senior Medical Adviser Social & Environmental Health
Department of Human Services, Victoria, Australia ****** [2] Date: Wed,
17 Nov 2004 13:53:39 -0500 Source: H Kenneth Hudnell Because the fish
appear to have come from fresh water, isn't it more likely that the
cause is a cyanobacteria-produced toxin, such as an anatoxin or
saxitoxin, rather than a dinoflagellate-produced toxin? (These comments
are my own and don't reflect Agency policy) - -- H Kenneth Hudnell, PhD
Neurotoxicologist US Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle
Park, NC [ProMED-mail thanks Dr Carey for more precise information about
the cases and both Dr Carey and Dr Hudnell for their comments. - Mod.LL]
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