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Recent ackee poisoning in Jamaica
The health ministry is intensifying its surveillance and public awareness activities following the recent deaths of six people associated with food poisoning.
The deaths have occurred since December 22.
According to the minister with responsibility for information, Daryl Vaz, the health ministry has reported that the five of the deaths occurred because the people ate unfit ackees.
The other one was the case of the Argentinean man who died in St Mary after eating salt petre in a meal of fish and potatoes.
Vaz says tests indicated that five of the bodies had high levels of hypoglycin – a poisonous substance found in unopened ackees.
But he says the ministry is carrying out follow up activities with the relatives of the deceased because they claim that their loved ones did not eat unfit ackees.
Earlier this month the health ministry reported that its surveillance unit had recorded 35 cases of ackee poisoning.
He said the ministry indicated that there has been a noticeably increase in the cases in the parishes of St. Ann and St. Mary.
Symptoms of ackee poisoning include vomiting, stomach cramps or abdominal pains, dizziness, diarrhoea and sweating.
The health ministry says persons experiencing these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention and should have a sweet drink while on their way to the health centre or hospital.
The health ministry is intensifying its surveillance and public awareness activities following the recent deaths of six people associated with food poisoning.
The deaths have occurred since December 22.
According to the minister with responsibility for information, Daryl Vaz, the health ministry has reported that the five of the deaths occurred because the people ate unfit ackees.
The other one was the case of the Argentinean man who died in St Mary after eating salt petre in a meal of fish and potatoes.
Vaz says tests indicated that five of the bodies had high levels of hypoglycin – a poisonous substance found in unopened ackees.
But he says the ministry is carrying out follow up activities with the relatives of the deceased because they claim that their loved ones did not eat unfit ackees.
Earlier this month the health ministry reported that its surveillance unit had recorded 35 cases of ackee poisoning.
He said the ministry indicated that there has been a noticeably increase in the cases in the parishes of St. Ann and St. Mary.
Symptoms of ackee poisoning include vomiting, stomach cramps or abdominal pains, dizziness, diarrhoea and sweating.
The health ministry says persons experiencing these symptoms should immediately seek medical attention and should have a sweet drink while on their way to the health centre or hospital.
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