The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department is looking into reports of ciguatoxin poisonings in Shantou, and advises people to avoid eating large coral reef fish which can contain the toxin.

Fifty-nine people reportedly developed poisoning symptoms after eating tiger grouper on August 26.

The department has found the fish was imported by a Hong Kong trader for Shenzhen, and was then sold to food premises in Shantou. Another batch of coral reef fish, believed to be from the same source, has been sold to a local wholesaler. It is believed some of the fish has already been sold.

The trader and wholesaler have been asked to stop selling and dispose of the remaining fish stock, and asked to assist in tracing and locating fish sold.

People should refrain from eating large coral reef fish, particularly the internal organs, as they are more likely to carry higher amounts of ciguatoxin, which cannot be destroyed by cooking.

People affected by ciguatoxin show symptoms of numbness of the mouth and limbs, vomiting, diarrhoea, cold and hot flushes, and joint and muscle pain, and should seek medical advice.