ciguatera

noun

ci·​gua·​tera ˌsē-gwə-ˈter-ə 

ˌsi-

: poisoning caused by the ingestion of various normally edible tropical fish in whose flesh a toxic substance (such as one produced by some dinoflagellates) has accumulated

Examples of ciguatera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Large predatory reef fish are typically considered higher risk for ciguatera poisoning, like barracuda or Spanish mackerel. —Brianna Randall, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020

What scares me more are ciguatera poisoning and anisakiasis. —Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 14 Feb. 2023

This is ciguatera, a nonbacterial foodborne illness from seafood affecting between 50,000 and 500,000 people each year. —Brianna Randall, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020

Japan has also reported several cases of ciguatera poisoning. —Brianna Randall, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2020

Additionally, people who eat blue tangs have been known to develop a serious foodborne illness called ciguatera poisoning. —National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020

People are afraid to eat them because of their association with ciguatera, a dinoflagellate that can cause intestinal distress. —AL.com, 23 July 2017

According to the paper, more than half the samples identified as a substitute species carried a health risk, including parasites, chemicals, and toxins such as ciguatera, which can cause neurological problems. —Paul Sutherland, National Geographic, 9 Sep. 2016

Higher temperatures and rainfall changes would increase the prevalence of diseases like dengue fever and ciguatera poisoning. —Mike Ives, New York Times, 2 July 2016

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from ciguato person ill with ciguatera, perhaps from cigua sea snail

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

ciguatera

noun

ci·​gua·​tera ˌsē-gwə-ˈter-ə, ˌsig- 

: poisoning caused by the ingestion of various normally edible tropical fish in whose flesh a toxic substance (as one produced by some dinoflagellates) has accumulated