Thanh Hoa: 13 people poisoned after eating eggs of a certain fish species; police investigate, doctors say it's shocking!

A New Year's party in Thanh Hoa turned into a tragedy when 13 people were hospitalized in critical condition. The cause was a local specialty dish containing deadly toxins, prompting a police investigation and a haunting warning from doctors about food safety.

A horrifying Lunar New Year party and a disastrous misunderstanding about the "Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity" fish.

The tragic incident occurred on the afternoon of the third day of Tet (February 19th) at the home of Mr. QNH (residing in Ngoc Lien commune, Ngoc Lac district, Thanh Hoa province). In the festive atmosphere of the early days of the Year of the Horse, Mr. H. decided to butcher a garfish – a type of ornamental fish that his family had raised for a long time – to make a hotpot dish to treat relatives and friends who came to celebrate Tet. However, the joy was short-lived. Just an hour after enjoying the homemade "specialty," 11 people at the party simultaneously experienced severe abdominal pain, continuous vomiting, and acute diarrhea.

Initial reports from the scene caused a stir, with the victims suspected of food poisoning from eating Arowana fish roe. However, after the Thanh Hoa Provincial Police and the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) investigated, the truth was revealed: the "culprit" fish was actually the alligator gar (also known as the Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity fish). This is an ornamental fish species originating from North America, which is very popular in Vietnam. The confusion between the luxurious appearance of the ornamental fish and limited knowledge of food safety put 13 lives in grave danger during the Lunar New Year celebrations.

A shocking warning from a doctor: Liver and eggs are reservoirs of toxins.

At Ngoc Lac Regional General Hospital, doctors had to mobilize their resources to provide intensive emergency care for this group of patients. Notably, the explanation from medical experts about the dangers of the alligator gar sent shivers down many people's spines. While the meat of this species can be used as food, its liver and especially its eggs contain extremely potent toxins that are stable at high temperatures. When dipped into a hot pot, the toxins are not destroyed but instead spread rapidly, directly attacking the digestive and nervous systems of those who eat it.

The treating doctor emphasized that ingesting alligator gar eggs is equivalent to introducing a large amount of poison into the body for which there is no specific antidote. "People often mistakenly believe that ornamental fish are clean and rare, so their eggs are also nutritious. This is a deadly misconception," a medical expert shared with sorrow. Fortunately, thanks to timely emergency care and intensive treatment, by the early morning of February 20th, the condition of the 13 patients had temporarily stabilized and they were discharged home, ending a terrifying Lunar New Year with a narrow escape.

Authorities tighten control over "unusual" food products in rural areas.

Given the seriousness of the incident, the Food Safety Department has requested the Thanh Hoa Provincial Department of Health to urgently investigate the root cause and strengthen supervision of street food businesses, especially households that process food from wild animals and exotic seafood. The Thanh Hoa Provincial Police also issued an urgent warning, urging people to absolutely refrain from processing or consuming uncommon food items or those whose safe processing methods are unclear.

The poisoning incident in Ngoc Lien commune serves as a costly wake-up call regarding the careless eating habits and complacency in food choices, especially during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year). Whether in film or in real life, the name "Phuc Loc Tho" (meaning "Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity") of this fish clearly doesn't bring good luck when humans cross the forbidden boundaries of nature. This lesson once again reminds us: Never gamble with your life at a feast simply because of a lack of knowledge and momentary curiosity.

The mystery of women with "toxic blood", who have harmed dozens of doctors even after death, science is stumped Hoa Tuyết17:39:51 16/04/2025The incident of a woman who died and still poisoned dozens of doctors and nurses is likened to a plot from a science fiction movie, because it is so unbelievable that it is scary. Experts are also stumped by this case.