Ciguatera is a food disease caused by eating contaminated fish with a toxin called “ciguatoxine“. Produced by microscopic algae present in coral reefs, it is ingested by the fish of these reefs and, as it goes up the food chain, this toxin can concentrate in the largest fish.
There then exists a risk of poisoning for consumers of these fishthis is the reason why certain species are prohibited from fishing according to their weight and/or according to their fishing zone.
The data entered on the Ciguawatch platform is processed anonymously, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). All the information is stored and analyzed within the framework of the Epidemiological Surveillance Network for Ciguatera in French Polynesia, managed jointly by the Louis Malardé Institute and the Health Monitoring Office of French Polynesia.
Monitoring these cases of ciguatera is important to help better determine the evolution of species and fishing areas affected by ciguatoxin, and thus prevent cases of ciguatera. Information campaigns are regularly organized for health professionals, fishing professionals and consumers.
Symptoms of ciguatera usually appear within 24 hours of ingestion:
Digestive signs: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
Neurological signs: itching, tingling, feelings of numbness, disturbances in the perception of hot and cold, fatigue, etc.
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