ZANZIBAR, Tanzania – Authorities in Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, reported a tragic incident involving the consumption of sea turtle meat on Pemba Island. Several individuals were either deceased or fell ill after ingesting the turtle meat, a delicacy highly regarded by the local population. It is suspected that the deaths and hospitalizations were due to chelonitoxism, a form of food poisoning resulting from consuming sea turtle meat.
According to Dr. Haji Bakari, the Mkoani District medical officer, a total of eight children and one adult lost their lives, while 78 other individuals were hospitalized as a result of consuming the turtle meat. The adult who passed away was the mother of one of the deceased children, and it was disclosed that the turtle meat was consumed on a Tuesday prior to the tragic events.
This unfortunate incident has prompted authorities in Zanzibar to issue warnings against the consumption of sea turtles. In a similar event in November 2021, seven individuals, including a 3-year-old, died on Pemba Island after consuming turtle meat, with three others requiring hospitalization. In an effort to address the situation, a disaster management team was dispatched to the region, led by Hamza Hassan Juma, urging the public to refrain from consuming sea turtles.
Laboratory tests confirmed that all victims had ingested sea turtle meat, leading to the suspicion that chelonitoxism was indeed the cause of the tragic outcomes. The recurrence of such incidents underscores the importance of raising awareness about the risks associated with consuming sea turtle meat and the potential consequences.
This startling occurrence serves as a somber reminder of the dangers posed by consuming certain types of wildlife and highlights the necessity of educating communities about the potential risks associated with consuming such delicacies. As investigations continue, authorities are working diligently to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future through increased awareness and precautionary measures.