See Dr. Winter Live
HealthSource® airs on WFAA-TV Channel 8 every weekday at noon and 5 p.m., and throughout Texas on Texas Cable News Network. You can see Dr. Winter live on WFAA-TV Channel 8 on Mondays and Wednesdays at noon.
If you have any questions about the show or would like further information, please call 1-800-4BAYLOR or email us.
Your TV HealthSource®
Dangerous Toxins in Fish
Week of February 25 - The FDA has a warning tonight for fish eaters. So far more than two-dozen cases of toxic fish poisoning have been reported. The biggest threat—fish harvested from the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. David Winter tells us more in tonight’s HealthSource report.
JULIE BENDER
Dietitian
Baylor University Medical Center
“Cigutera is something that many people have not heard of.”
DR. WINTER
It is rare… but recently there have been several reported outbreaks of ciguatera poisoning from toxic fish.
JULIE BENDER
“The symptoms of ciguatera are very specific… it is nausea, vomiting and joint pain… so if you are experiencing these symptoms after eating fish—it would be wise to get to your doctor’s office for a checkup.”
DR. WINTER
Experts say there are specific types of fish that pose the most risk. Grouper, snapper, amberjack and barracuda are on the list.
JULIE BENDER
“What they’re finding is these large fish are consuming smaller fish that are higher in a toxin because they’ve eaten some algae with that toxin.”
DR. WINTER
The FDA also warns ciguatera is tasteless and odorless so there’s no way to tell whether fish may be affected.
JULIE BENDER
“Cooking the fish does not eliminate this particular toxin.”
DR. WINTER
But experts agree poisonous fish are still not a widespread problem-- so consumers should be cautious, but not overly concerned.
JULIE BENDER
“So we need not eliminate fish, but just be more aware of the where the fish is coming from and the types that we’re choosing.”
DR. WINTER
For Baylor Health Care System, I’m Dr. David Winter.
ANCHOR TAG
If you do believe you may have ciguatera symptoms, call your doctor right away. The poisoning is best treated if caught within the first 72 hours.