Current:Home > Scams8 Children Dead and One Adult Dead After Eating Sea Turtle Meat in Zanzibar-LoTradeCoin
8 Children Dead and One Adult Dead After Eating Sea Turtle Meat in Zanzibar
View Date:2024-12-23 15:40:58
A tragedy has occurred in Zanzibar.
Eight children and an adult are dead after eating contaminated sea turtle meat, while another 78 people were hospitalized, authorities told the Associated Press on March 9. The incident occurred on Pemba Island in the Zanzibar archipelago.
The adult who died was also the mother of the one of the children who tragically passed away. Dr. Haji Bakari, the Mkoani District medical officer, told AP the contaminated sea turtle meat had been consumed on March 5 by all of those affected.
E! News has reached out to Zanzibar officials for additional details, but has not heard back yet.
Sea turtle meat is considered a delicacy in Zanzibar, although it can often have devastating consequences due to a type of food poisoning known as chelonitoxism.
"Chelonitoxism is a rare and sometimes fatal type of food poisoning caused by eating marine turtles," the National Library of Medicine says. "Symptoms can be as mild as nausea and vomiting to more severe forms of neurologic manifestations, coma and ultimately death."
There is no known antidote for chelonitoxism, and "children are especially susceptible to this type of poisoning," as noted by the National Capital Poison Center. They added that "pets have also died after eating contaminated sea turtle meat or the vomit of affected humans."
Zanzibar is, unfortunately, no stranger to deaths from contaminated sea turtle meat, as the AP reported that, in 2021, seven people—including a 3-year-old—had died from chelonitoxism.
Authorities in Zanzibar are urging people to avoid consuming sea turtles at this time.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (3)
Related
- 'Underbanked' households more likely to own crypto, FDIC report says
- Rhode Island high school locked down after police say one student stabbed another in a bathroom
- 3 endangered sawfish born at SeaWorld – the first successful captive birth of the species in the U.S.
- Kansas is poised to boost legislators’ pay by $28,000 in 2025, nearly doubling it
- Noem’s Cabinet appointment will make a plain-spoken rancher South Dakota’s new governor
- Ranking all 32 NFL teams' throwback and alternate uniforms as Eagles debut Kelly Green
- Republicans are facing death threats as the election for speaker gets mired in personal feuds
- Marine killed in Camp Lejeune barracks and fellow Marine held as suspect, the base says
- Panel advises Illinois commemorate its role in helping slaves escape the South
- Travis King, solider who crossed border into North Korea, charged with desertion
Ranking
- Paraguay vs. Argentina live updates: Watch Messi play World Cup qualifying match tonight
- Battle against hate: Violence, bigotry toward Palestinian Americans spiking across US
- Holiday Gifts Under $50 That It's Definitely Not Too Soon To Buy
- Idina Menzel explains how 'interracial aspect' of her marriage with Taye Diggs impacted split
- Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
- California's annual statewide earthquake drill is today. Here's what to know about the Great ShakeOut.
- Horoscopes Today, October 18, 2023
- China is building up its nuclear weapons arsenal faster than previous projections, a US report says
Recommendation
-
West Virginia governor-elect Morrisey to be sworn in mid-January
-
Pulse nightclub to be purchased by city of Orlando with plans of mass shooting memorial
-
Will Smith joins Jada Pinkett Smith at book talk, calls their relationship brutal and beautiful
-
The Rolling Stones after six decades: We've got to keep going. When you've got it, flaunt it, you know?
-
Lala Kent Swears by This Virgo-Approved Accessory and Shares Why Stassi Schroeder Inspires Her Fall Style
-
Iran opens final registration for candidates in next year’s parliament election
-
Kraft Mac & Cheese ice cream is back at Walmart next week along with six new flavors by Van Leeuwen
-
Trevor Lawrence injury updates: Latest on Jaguars QB's status for 'TNF' game vs. Saints
Like
- 'America's flagship' SS United States has departure from Philadelphia to Florida delayed
- Corn Harvests in the Yukon? Study Finds That Climate Change Will Boost Likelihood That Wilderness Gives Way to Agriculture
- Chick-fil-A releases cookbook to combine fan-favorite menu items with household ingredients