Egypt sounds alarm over toxic puffer fish
Egypt warns its citizens of the spread of a toxic fish on the market that causes poisoning, paralysis or coma, and can even lead to death within six to eight hours.
CAIRO — The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population has recently warned Egyptians of the spread of a toxic fish on the market known as the Takifugu, puffer fish or rabbitfish, which is characterized by its gray skin and is one of the deadliest in the world.
In a video published Dec. 5 on its official Facebook page, the ministry said that this fish should by no means be consumed and any shop owner or shop found to be selling it shall be reported.
The ministry said that consuming the fish could cause death within six to eight hours, and added that the poisoning symptoms are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, muscle paralysis, low blood pressure, low heart rate, body numbness, shortness of breath and in some cases paralysis or coma.
The Takifugu fish lives in both the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. It is characterized by its gray skin color, its large dark eyes and its small mouth that resembles the mouth of a rabbit. It can grow up to 53 centimeters (21 inches) long and has strong fins. It has sharp, pointed teeth. It is also known as puffer fish because it inflates itself when it is threatened, and as rabbitfish because its teeth are similar to those of a rabbit.
