ZANZIBAR, Tanzania – Tragedy struck Pemba Island in the Zanzibar archipelago as authorities reported the deaths of eight children and one adult, with 78 others hospitalized after consuming sea turtle meat. Despite being considered a delicacy by the locals, the consumption of sea turtle meat in Zanzibar has periodically led to fatalities due to chelonitoxism, a form of food poisoning.
The adult who tragically passed away was identified as the mother of one of the children who had succumbed earlier. Dr. Haji Bakari, the Mkoani District medical officer, disclosed that the group had eaten the turtle on a fateful Tuesday. Laboratory tests confirmed that all the victims had ingested sea turtle meat.
Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania in East Africa, dispatched a disaster management team to Pemba to address the situation. Hamza Hassan Juma, who led the team, emphasized the need for the public to refrain from consuming sea turtles to prevent further cases of poisoning.
This incident is not an isolated one, as in November 2021, seven individuals, including a 3-year-old child, lost their lives on Pemba Island after consuming turtle meat, with three others requiring hospitalization. These recurring tragedies underscore the dangers associated with the consumption of sea turtle meat, despite its cultural significance in the region. It serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in partaking in traditional delicacies without fully understanding the potential consequences.
Efforts to raise awareness about the risks posed by consuming sea turtle meat need to be intensified to prevent future tragedies like the recent one on Pemba Island. The authorities in Zanzibar face the challenge of balancing the preservation of cultural practices with ensuring public health and safety in the face of these recurring incidents.