oops !! Another! (in Japan) (fugu testicles)

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Blowfish poisoning sends 7 to hospital in Japan

3 days ago

TOKYO (AP) — Blowfish testicles prepared by an unauthorized chef sickened seven diners in northern Japan and three remained hospitalized Tuesday after eating the poisonous delicacy.

The owner of the restaurant in Tsuruoka city, who is also the chef, had no license to serve blowfish and was being questioned on suspicion of professional negligence, police official Yoshihito Iwase said.

Blowfish, while extremely poisonous if not prepared properly, is considered a delicacy in Japan and is consumed by thrill-seeking gourmets.

Iwase said the seven men ordered sashimi and grilled blowfish testicles at the restaurant Monday night.

Shortly after, they developed limb paralysis and breathing trouble and started to lose consciousness — typical signs of blowfish poisoning — and were rushed to a hospital for treatment, Iwase said.
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Three still critical after eating blowfish testicles

2 days ago

TOKYO (AFP) — Three Japanese diners remained in a critical condition on Wednesday after eating blowfish testicles, a dangerous delicacy prepared by an unlicensed chef, police said.

"The three men remain hospitalised. They are heavily poisoned and their consciousness has been impaired," said a police official in northern Yamagata prefecture.

A group of seven men reported feeling numb on Monday soon after eating the testes of "fugu" blowfish, which is highly prized in Japan but is supposed to be prepared only by specially trained chefs because of its potential risk.


Wikipedia link

/.../The symptoms from ingesting a lethal dose of tetrodotoxin may include dizziness, exhaustion, headache, nausea, or difficulty breathing. For 50% to 80% of the victims, death follows within four to 24 hours. The victim remains fully conscious throughout most of the ordeal, but cannot speak or move due to paralysis, and soon also cannot breathe and subsequently asphyxiates. If the victim survives the first 24 hours, he or she usually recovers completely.

There is no known antidote, and treatment consists of emptying the stomach, feeding the victim activated charcoal to bind the toxin, and taking standard life-support measures to keep the victim alive until the poison has worn off. Japanese toxicologists in several medical research centres are now working on developing an antidote to tetrodotoxin.
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