Elderly couple die from pufferfish poisoning

(CMR) An elderly couple in Malaysia has died after consuming poisonous pufferfish, prompting their daughter to call for stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The couple, Ng Chuan Sing and Lim Siew Guan, both in their early 80s, unknowingly bought at least two pufferfish from an online vendor on March 25. Lim had the fish for lunch that day and started experiencing “breathing difficulties and shivers,” according to authorities. Her spouse Ng began exhibiting similar symptoms an hour after dinner.

The couple was rushed to the hospital and placed in the intensive care unit, where Lim was declared dead at 7 o'clock local time. Ng was in a coma for eight days until his condition deteriorated, and he passed away on Saturday morning. Ng Ai Lee, the couple's daughter, called for accountability for her parents' deaths and stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents. At least 30 species of pufferfish are frequently found in the nearby waters of Malaysia, where the couple's daughter hopes for tougher restrictions.

The sale of hazardous and deadly food, such as pufferfish meat, is illegal under Malaysian law, and violators can be subject to a fine of RM10,000 ($2,300) or a maximum prison sentence of two years. However, numerous wet markets in Malaysia sell toxic pufferfish despite the risks, and it is considered a unique and popular delicacy.

Aileen Tan, a marine scientist and director of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, noted that the public will be unable to identify the species of fish they bought once pufferfish have been cleaned and sold as slices, making it difficult to regulate. The public needs to be informed of the dangers of eating pufferfish, and authorities should consider special certificates for suppliers and merchants, she suggested.

Pufferfish meat is frequently consumed as a costly delicacy in Japan, where it is known as “fugu.” The fish's organs, skin, blood, and bones contain high levels of tetrodotoxin, a lethal poison that can quickly result in tingling in the mouth area and disorientation, followed by convulsions, respiratory paralysis, and death. Fugu chefs in Japan are required by law to complete lengthy apprenticeships before receiving a license to handle and prepare the fish for consumption.

Despite the danger and hazards, fugu has become increasingly popular, especially among gourmets and adventurers, and is now consumed in other nations outside Japan, occasionally without regulation. Between 1985 and 2023, 58 pufferfish-related poisoning cases, including 18 fatalities, were documented in Malaysia, according to the country's health ministry.

Authorities are investigating who sold the poisonous fish to the elderly couple. Ling Tian Soon, the head of the Johor Health and Unity Committee, said that investigations were opened under the Food Act 1983 to identify the supplier, wholesaler, and seller of the pufferfish. The Health Ministry's Food Safety and Quality Facebook page also provides information about pufferfish, according to Ling.

The public is urged to exercise caution when selecting food, especially if it has known dangers. Ng Ai Lee, the daughter of the deceased couple, hopes that stricter regulations will be implemented to prevent similar incidents from happening again.