Scientists link toxic seaweed with climate
Five people fall sick after eating sea bass
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Doctors and biologists are investigating a link between global warming and a poisonous seaweed that is harmful to human health. Studies were launched after five people were hospitalised in the past three months after eating sea bass.
Doctors suspected the fish was contaminated with a toxic substance found in some seaweed species.
Thiravat Hemachudha, director of Chulalongkorn Hospital's molecular biology centre for neurological diseases, said symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle weakness and paralysis.
Doctors ruled out the possibility that the ailment was caused by a toxin from a poisonous toadfish, widely sold in the market and grilled-food restaurants.
Dr Thiravat assumed that the symptoms were caused by the ciguatera toxin, which can be found in certain kinds of seaweed.
''The case is extraordinary and rare in Thailand. An in-depth study into the cause is urgently needed,'' he told a seminar on global warming, held recently by the National Economic and Social Advisory Council.
Poisonous seaweed grows rapidly when sea water warms up.
Fish eat the poisonous seaweed and later the contaminated fish are served on the table. The toxins are passed on to people eating them.
Dr Thiravat also urged state agencies to look into a link between global warming and the spread of poisonous seaweed strains in Thai waters.
All five patients have now been discharged from hospital.
Kamnuan Ungchusak, director of the Epidemiology Bureau at the Ministry of Public Health, said few cases of people being poisoned by the ciguatera toxin have been recorded here.
It was unusual to have five cases in only three months.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted that acid levels in the ocean will increase in the next 40 years as a result of rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Certain kinds of marine animals will be affected by rising concentration of acids in the sea.
Meanwhile, Anond Snidvongs, director of Start, a regional climate research agency, said that as sea levels rise as a result of global warming, Thailand will have to confront heavy floods, particularly in coastal provinces including Samut Prakan, Chanthaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phatthalung.
In terms of economic loss, the country would have to spend over $700 million (22.25 billion baht) a year to deal with climate change-related problems.
In an Abac Poll released yesterday most people said they need more information about global warming and how to cope with the problem.
Almost 80% of respondents said state agencies should be responsible for educating the public.
The poll was held from Sept 21 to 29 in Bangkok and major cities nationwide
Bangkok Post Oct 1, 2007