Analysis of tetrodotoxin poisoning events in China from 2011 to 2020

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of tetrodotoxin poisoning events in China from 2011 to 2020 and provide a scientific basis for precise measures to prevent and control tetrodotoxin poisoning.MethodsDescriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of tetrodotoxin poisoning incidents reported through the National Foodborne Disease Outbreak Monitoring System from 2011 to 2020.ResultsFrom 2011 to 2020， 92 cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning reports were received through the National Foodborne Disease Outbreak Monitoring System； 339 people were poisoned and 15 were dead， with a case fatality rate of 4.4%. Tetrodotoxin poisoning was mainly concentrated in the coastal areas of China. The food carriers of tetrodotoxin included pufferfish （71.7%， 66/92）， dried pufferfish （13.0%， 12/92）， Nassariidae （7.6%， 7/92）， horseshoe crabs （5.4%， 5/92）， and Acentrogobius nebulosus （2.2%， 2/92）. Each year， a high incidence of poisoning occurs from March to April.ConclusionTo effectively prevent and control tetrodotoxin poisoning， it is necessary to establish a method for detecting tetrodotoxins in biological samples， improve the ability to identify the pathogenic factors of tetrodotoxin poisoning， strengthen the supervision and popularization of science in the circulation process， and change the dietary habits of people who eat wild pufferfish.

Keywords

• etrodotoxin
• outbreak
• epidemiology