On the Zanzibar archipelago off the East African coast, sea turtle meat is considered a special specialty. However, eating the seafood comes with significant risks. Cases of chelonitoxism, a specific form of food poisoning, repeatedly lead to health emergencies and even death. This danger was once again confirmed by a recently reported incident: eight children and one adult died after eating turtle meat, and another 78 people were taken to hospital for treatment, according to local authorities.
In response to the tragedy, the government of Zanzibar mobilized an emergency response team to educate the public about the potential dangers of consuming turtle meat. A similar incident occurred in November 2021, when seven people died on the neighboring island of Pemba, including a three-year-old child.