After receiving medical attention, follow these steps to report the case:

1. Contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries via phone or email.
2. Be prepared to provide the following information:
   • Full name of the affected individual(s)
   • Type of fish consumed (e.g. barracuda, snapper, grouper)
   • Source of the fish (e.g. locally caught, purchased, gifted)
   • Location where the fish was obtained or consumed
   • Date and time symptoms began
   • Number of people who ate the fish and whether they became ill

? Example: “Three members of our household consumed locally caught barracuda on April 10th. Two of them experienced nausea and tingling in the fingers within five hours. We purchased the fish from a roadside vendor in Road Town.”

By reporting suspected or confirmed cases of ciguatera, you help the Virgin Islands: 

• Track and monitor ciguatera outbreaks more accurately
• Inform fishery advisories and public warnings
• Strengthen local data collection on affected fish species
• Promote safer fishing and consumption practices
• Reduce future cases through targeted prevention

Your report contributes to public health safety and supports efforts to protect both residents and visitors from future illness.

Ciguatera poisoning is most commonly associated with large reef predators such as: 

• Barracuda
• Snapper
• Grouper
• Moray eel

These fish may carry toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking, freezing, or drying.