Brazilian dinner party of 11 poisoned by puffer fish

A Brazilian lunch party of 11 fell ill after eating a poisonous puffer fish that was a gift from a relative who works as a fisherman. The Souza family of Duque de Caxias invited their neighbors over to partake in the puffer fish dinner. Upon eating the fish, one man started to feel his tongue go numb due to the tetrodotoxin found in the fish. Tetrodotoxin (or TTX) is a dangerous neurotoxin that inhibits the ability for nerve cells to communicate with the body. TTX binds to the sodium channels in nerve cell membranes and blocks the passage of sodium ions, causing paralysis in its victim. Members of both families were rushed to the hospital. Five were treated and released on Friday but 4 remain in hospital. The fish is considered a delicacy called fugu in Japan where expert chefs know how to prepare the fish to avoid poisoning. The puffer fish, of which there are more than 120 varieties, is one of the most poisonous creatures in the world. ---------------------------------------­­---------------------------------------­-­--------------- Next Animation Studio’s News Direct service provides daily, high-quality, informative 3D news animations that fill in for missing footage and help viewers understand breaking news stories or in-depth features on science, technology, and health. Sign up for a free trial of News Direct's news animations at http://newsdirect.nextanimationstudio... To subscribe to News Direct or for more info, please visit: http://newsdirect.nextanimationstudio...