The Fisheries Division of the Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says there is no need for alarm after reports of a man who died in Fiji after eating palolo, the coral spurning delicacy that rises yearly.
Samoa Observer quotes division head Magele Eteuati Ropati saying they are waiting for more information from their counterparts in Fiji.
He said the facts of the case connected to the fatality need to be established before any action can be taken.
“…we need to get the facts surrounding the case in Fiji,” Magele told the newspaper.
Press Officer for the Fiji Ministry of Health, Sunil Chandra, said they were aware of the case but could not confirm the man died from eating palolo, which is called balolo in Fiji.
“We are aware that balolo comes at this time of the year, and it has been found out in the previous years that sometimes there are some toxic substances present in the balolo, which when consumed will harm people.
“So in this case, I haven’t received so much because we don’t treat it as that – we have advised people to check before they consume balolo.”
A report on Fiji Live said a Savusavu man was rushed to the hospital after developing an allergic reaction from the consumption of the sea worms.
The man reportedly has a history of asthma and an allergic reaction made his condition more severe as it affected his breathing.
