Ciguatera Fish Poisoning and the Effects on Domestic Animals in the Cook Islands
| Title | Ciguatera Fish Poisoning and the Effects on Domestic Animals in the Cook Islands |
| Publication Type | Thesis |
| Year of Publication | 2002 |
| Authors | Holland, Amber M. |
| Academic Department | Zoology, College of Science |
| Thesis Advisor | Muir, Patricia S. |
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts in international Studies in Zoology |
| Number of Pages | 32 |
| Date Published | 06/2002 |
| University | Oregon State University |
| City | Corvallis |
| Thesis Type | Undergraduate |
| Keywords | Ciguatera Fish Poisoning, ciguatoxin, Cook Islands, fish, toxin, zoology |
| Abstract | Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP), a disorder affecting approximately 50,000 people annually (e.g. Ragelis 1984), is caused by the consumption of fish contaminated by a toxin produced by the dinoflagellate, Gambierdiscus toxicus. This disorder poses a threat to many populations around the world, especially on the tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean. New information is continuously unveiled as researchers search for answers to questions concerning environmental factors related to the increased production of ciguatera toxin, the biological effects of ciguatera toxin, and conduct molecular studies with hope to find a quick and effective method for detecting ciguatoxins before the toxic fish is consumed. Currently all tests available for ciguatoxin detection are expensive, time consuming, and require high levels of purified ciguatoxin for accurate detection. The following thesis discusses the important areas of research, presents my perspective regarding cultural response in areas exposed to ciguatera toxin by comparing the response to CFP in the United States and the Cook Islands, and ends with a case study about a dog from the Cook Island and her struggle to overcome CFP. |
