25th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is currently investigating a suspected case of paralytic shellfish poisoning involving a 69-year-old woman. The patient reported symptoms, including numbness in her mouth and limbs, along with vomiting and diarrhoea, approximately 30 minutes after consuming mussels at home on 24th December. She sought treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital the same day and has since been admitted in stable condition.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the mussels were purchased from a seafood stall at Chai Wan Market, prompting the CHP to continue its inquiry into the source of the seafood. A spokesperson for the CHP reiterated that the toxin responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning is a natural, heat-stable substance found in bivalve shellfish, which cannot be eliminated through cooking. Symptoms typically manifest within minutes to hours after ingestion, beginning with neurological signs such as tingling and numbness, and may escalate to severe complications, including paralysis or respiratory failure in critical cases. The CHP urges anyone experiencing symptoms of shellfish poisoning to seek immediate medical attention and to preserve any leftovers for further investigation.
