Why is it unsafe to eat pufferfish or butete? Kuya Kim explains

Seafood lovers, beware. The pufferfish or butete is a dangerous ocean creature to eat.

According to Kuya Kim’s “24 Oras” report Tuesday, pufferfish contain a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which attacks the nervous system and may cause lung or heart failure leading to death.

Eating butete is forbidden in the Philippines. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 regional director Allan Poquita advises fishermen to return the creature to the sea should they catch it.

In Cebu, eight members of a family were brought to the hospital for dizziness and vomiting after they ate pufferfish. One member, Romana Ebardo, was declared dead on arrival.

“Sa pagluto [ng pufferfish], kukunin mo iyong ugat at iyong itlog. Aksidenteng naisama iyong itlog noong butete kasi tinatapon namin iyon,” said Jordan Ebardo. “Medyo naparami po ang nakain ni Nanay.”

Another sea creature considered to be one of the most poisonous is the stonefish, which has venom on the spikes on its back.

Anyone who gets stung by its spikes will feel intense pain and swelling that may cause paralysis, tissue necrosis, and heart failure leading to death.

If you are stung by a stonefish, do not panic and seek hospital treatment immediately. While waiting for rescue, wash the affected area with clean water and soak in hot water for 30 to 90 minutes. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News