Bermuda health officials have issued a public advisory regarding the risks of ciguatera and scombroid fish poisoning after recording five confirmed cases so far in 2026. The Ministry of Health and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources warn that these marine toxins cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste.
Ciguatera poisoning, which results from toxins in large predatory reef fish like barracuda and amberjack, is not traditionally common in the region but remains an ongoing concern. Separately, scombroid poisoning occurs when species such as tuna and mahi mahi are not chilled properly after capture, causing histamine buildup. Neither toxin is destroyed by cooking or freezing.
To prevent scombroid poisoning, fishers are advised to bleed, gut, and ice their catch immediately. Anyone who experiences illness after eating fish should seek medical care promptly, as physicians are required to report suspected cases to the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit for monitoring.