A severe form of food poisoning, known as chelonitoxism, caused by ingesting sea turtle meat, has claimed the lives of eight children and an adult on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Additionally, 78 individuals were hospitalized following the incident. Despite the risks of deadly food poisoning, sea turtles remain a favored delicacy in the region.
The adult fatality, identified by Dr. Haji Bakari, the Mkoani District medical officer, was the mother of one of the deceased children. The fatal incident occurred on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, following the consumption of turtle meat. Subsequent laboratory testing detected chelonitoxism in all the victims.
Chelonitoxism is a toxic reaction to certain toxins present in the meat of some sea turtles. Symptoms can range from mild issues such as itching and mouth pain to gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and even to severe neurological problems like confusion, seizures, and even coma. The condition is particularly hazardous for children, potentially leading to long-term effects like paralysis and other disabilities. At present, there is no known cure for chelonitoxism, with medical care primarily focusing on symptom relief.
This incident is not the first of its kind. In November 2021, a similar event took place on Pemba Island, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including a toddler, and multiple hospitalizations. In an attempt to prevent further cases of chelonitoxism, Zanzibar authorities dispatched a disaster management team, led by Hamza Hassan Juma, and issued a public warning against consuming sea turtle meat.
Sea turtles are considered a traditional food source in several coastal communities, notably in Central America and Asia. Hunters often patrol the beaches nightly during the breeding season in search of egg-laying females.
Typically, hunters wait for the turtle to finish laying eggs before harvesting both the animal and its offspring. In certain areas, sea turtle eggs are believed to possess aphrodisiac qualities. Some cultures also consume sea turtle meat during specific religious ceremonies.
Prior to the global endangered species awareness campaigns of the 1970s, Europeans regularly enjoyed turtle soup, a dish made from sea turtle meat. Various parts of the turtle, including oil, cartilage, skin, and shell, are used in the production of different products.
