Fish poisoning kills 4 in Fiji

Four people have died from fish poisoning in Fiji, the government confirmed Thursday.

The four men from Fiji's Gau island ate suspected fish and got poisoned earlier this week, and were subsequently sent to a local health center, where they failed to respond to treatment by medical personnel, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services said in a statement.

A doctor stationed on the island accompanied another patient to the capital of Suva for serious medical assistance.

"The Ministry of Health and Medical Services staff have today (Thursday) visited Somosomo village and are conducting investigations to ascertain the total number of people who have eaten the suspected fish and are experiencing symptoms of fish poisoning," said the statement.

"Any patients who appear to be at risk will be carefully monitored and treated as required. The priority for the ministry at this stage is to ensure that all those affected are treated appropriately," the statement added.

Suliasi Saqaleka, a resident of Somosomo village, Gau island, told the government-owned Fiji Broadcasting Corporation that they caught the fish Wednesday from the village foreshore, and the whole clan ate the fish for lunch.

Four clan members started feeling sick shortly after the lunch and were rushed to the health center, where they were pronounced dead, Saqaleka said.

Another eight clan members, who also showed symptoms of fish poisoning, have been resting in the village under medical observation. Endit