Current:Home > Invest8 Children Dead and One Adult Dead After Eating Sea Turtle Meat in Zanzibar -EquityZone
8 Children Dead and One Adult Dead After Eating Sea Turtle Meat in Zanzibar
View
Date:2025-04-16 11:15:46
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! (68)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- It's National Puppy Day: Celebrate Your Fur Baby With Amazon's Big Spring Sale Pet Deals
- King Charles III Is Feeling Frustrated Amid His Cancer Recovery, Royal Family Member Says
- Women's March Madness games today: Schedule, how to watch Saturday's NCAA Tournament
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor flexes its off-road muscles in first-drive review
- Men’s March Madness Saturday recap: Creighton outlasts Oregon; Tennessee, Illinois win
- A total eclipse is near. For some, it's evidence of higher power. For others it's a warning
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- West Virginia wildfires: National Guard and rain help to battle blazes, see map of fires
Ranking
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- A total eclipse is near. For some, it's evidence of higher power. For others it's a warning
- LSU coach Kim Mulkey lashes out at Washington Post, threatens legal action
- These Headphone Deals From Amazon's Big Spring Sale will be Music to Your Ears
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Alabama's Nate Oats pokes fun at Charles Barkley's bracket being busted after Auburn loss
- Body of missing hiker Caroline Meister found at waterfall base in California: Police
- Memorial marks 210th anniversary of crucial battle between Native Americans and United States
Recommendation
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi Celebrate Third Dating Anniversary Ahead of Wedding
My 4-Year-Old Is Obsessed with This Screen-Free, Storytelling Toy & It’s 30% off on Amazon
Winners announced for 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Nevada’s first big-game moose hunt will be tiny as unusual southern expansion defies climate change
Former gaming executive sentenced to death in poisoning of billionaire Netflix producer in China
Kate Middleton and Prince William Moved by Public's Support Following Her Cancer News