Death of two after having food from hotel in Vizhinjam; chemical analysis report cites marine toxin as cause

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The chemical analysis report has been released in the case where two of a five-member family died after experiencing physical discomfort on their way back home after having dinner from Asmak hotel in Vizhinjam. The report states that the cause of death was not food poisoning, but could be a marine toxin. Postmortem findings had also not hinted food poisoning. The dead are Rasheeda Beevi (58) and her son-in-law Shaji (48), natives of Plachiyode in Nilamel, Kollam.

The family had eaten squid thoran, prawns fry, kallumekkaya thoran, fish eggs, tapioca, porotta, and appam. It is suspected that a marine toxin present in the fish eggs may have caused the deaths. During the postmortem conducted at Parippally Medical College, traces of fish eggs were found in Rasheeda’s stomach.

Other food items and water used in the hotel were brought from markets in Tamil Nadu. However, tests on samples from there did not find anything that could cause food poisoning. It is also reported that samples of the exact food consumed by the family were not available for testing. In this situation, the conclusion is that a marine toxin in the fish eggs may have caused the deaths.

Experts point that tetrodotoxin, which is found in the eggs of some fish, does not get destroyed even after cooking and can be fatal. Marine toxins are naturally occurring poisonous substances found in certain fish and shellfish, and can cause food-related illness. They are also present in marine microorganisms, and consumption can lead to poisoning in humans.