ZANZIBAR, Tanzania – In a tragic incident on Pemba Island in the Zanzibar archipelago, multiple individuals were either killed or fell ill after consuming sea turtle meat, authorities reported over the weekend. The consumption of sea turtle meat, considered a delicacy by the locals, led to the deaths of eight children and one adult, with an additional 78 individuals being hospitalized. These dire consequences were attributed to chelonitoxism, a form of food poisoning arising from the consumption of sea turtle meat, according to Dr. Haji Bakari, the Mkoani District medical officer.
The tragedy struck when an adult, who happened to be the mother of one of the deceased children, passed away on Friday – just days after the group consumed the turtle meat. Following the incident, authorities in Zanzibar swiftly dispatched a disaster management team led by Hamza Hassan Juma to advise against the consumption of sea turtles in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. This isn’t the first time such an incident has happened in the region; in November 2021, a similar event saw seven people, including a toddler, lose their lives on Pemba Island due to the consumption of turtle meat, with three others requiring hospitalization.
Further investigations conducted by Bakari revealed that laboratory tests confirmed that all victims had indeed consumed sea turtle meat. This concerning trend of sea turtle consumption leading to serious health consequences underscores the importance of raising awareness about the potential dangers associated with consuming certain wildlife products. As such, authorities are urging caution and vigilance to prevent future tragedies of this nature from happening again.
It is crucial for communities to be informed about the risks involved in consuming certain types of wildlife products, especially those that can lead to severe health implications like chelonitoxism. By raising awareness and promoting responsible consumption practices, it is possible to mitigate the risk of such incidents and protect the well-being of individuals within these communities. The unfortunate events on Pemba Island serve as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety and the potential dangers associated with consuming certain types of wildlife.