A little over a week ago, it was reported that an elderly couple in the state of Johor had both suffered from a severe bout of poisoning, after they had purchased a venomous pufferfish off social media before cooking and eating it.
They eventually began suffering from shivers and breathing difficulties upon consuming the highly toxic fish, before the 83-year-old woman was later pronounced dead in Hospital Enche’ Hajjah Kalsom at 7.00pm on the same day.
Elderly man dies from pufferfish poisoning
Her 84-year-old husband on the other hand, fell into a comatose state and was admitted into the hospital’s intensive care ward (ICU) where he remained for a period of ten days without realising that his spouse had passed away. Fighting for survival over a period of eight days, it was reported by local newspaper The Star that the man would eventually regain consciousness briefly.
“The first person he asked for was my mother. We told him she is resting at home.”
“We did not tell him the truth because we were worried that he could not take it but we had a feeling that he knew my mother had died. He cried,” said his 51-year-old daughter.
He would later be discharged from the intensive care unit (ICU) before being moved to a normal ward last Thursday (April 6th, 2023). At the time, his daughter claims that he could interact with them normally during her last chat with him on Friday. He even asked about his wife again, and was told that she was resting at home and to focus on getting better himself.
Quoting Johor State health and unity committee chairman Ling Tian Soon, Malay Mail reports that the elderly man was in a conscious state when he was moved to a regular ward with stable vital signs, despite requiring breathing assistance through a respirator.
Unfortunately, he would pass away on Saturday at 6.10am in the morning from a pulmonary embolism, which is caused when a blood clot prevents blood flow into the lungs.
Daughter calls for justice
At a press conference held at their family home, the couple’s daughter hopes justice will be served for her parents.
“I hope the Kluang district health office will speed up investigations into their tragic deaths.”
“Those responsible for their death should be held accountable under the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority Act 1972 and the Food Act 1983.” she said.
As of present, the Johor State Health Department (JKNJ) is still in the process of identifying suppliers, wholesalers, as well as retailers who are selling the poisonous species of fish for public consumption.
“JKNJ has and will hold several discussions with the Fisheries Department and some local universities that have expertise in the field of fisheries and toxins or poisons to get a comprehensive solution regarding this issue.” said Ling.
Members of the public are now urged to steer clear of eating puffer fish as almost all types contain tetrodotoxin, which is lethal to humans. According to SCMP, the couple did not know that pufferfish contained toxins.
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