Cleaning out the fish tank nearly killed me
Family’s terror after inhaling toxic fumes from coral
A FAMILY were hospitalised after being overcome by a potentially life-threatening toxin produced by the coral in their fish tank.
Mother- of-four Katie Stevenson developed a high temperature and began shaking and hallucinating after inhaling fumes released by coral she was trying to scrub off an ornamental bridge from the tank.
Mrs Stevenson, 34, remained unable to eat solid foods yesterday after suffering an inflamed stomach as a result of the poisoning a week ago.
The family started cleaning out the saltwater tank – which had been in their living room for a year – after deciding to replace their marine fish with tropical varieties.
Mrs Stevenson, a housewife, began scrubbing the ornamental bridge with a rough brush and water so it could be used in the new tropical aquarium.
Soon after the fumes made her ill her husband Mark, 50, who is unemployed, and three of their children began suffering less severe symptoms.
When the couple, from Newport, Shropshire, dialled the NHS 111 advice line, a call handler did not believe she was suffering from anything more than
‘I thought I was going to die’
a virus. But her illness is believed to have been caused by palytoxin, a chemical released by the coral either as a self-defence mechanism or to assist in capturing prey.
Mrs Stevenson said: ‘I’d Googled coral poisoning and had been frightened to death by what I read. I phoned 111 for advice and they said take paracetamol.
‘They thought it was just a virus but said they would call back in half an hour to check on me.’
By the time the doctor called back, Mrs Stevenson said she was ‘ shaking from head to toe’ and had a temperature of 42.5C (108F), and an ambulance was arranged.
When medical staff realised they were dealing with a palytoxin case, they sent another ambulance to collect Mr Stevenson and their daughters Lacey, 11, Taleisha, seven, and Skyla, one, who were all suffering from cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. Their 14-year-old son Cole was staying with a friend and was not affected.
The paramedics involved, as well as the children’s grandmother, who had visited that evening, were also isolated at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Mrs Stevenson said they were allowed no visitors and all the doctors treating the group ‘ wore masks and overalls and we couldn’t leave for at least 24 hours’.
She added: ‘It was petrifying. Our home was cordoned off and had to be deep-cleaned before we were allowed back two days later. They let off some sort of smoke bombs to get rid of the toxins.’
The couple bought the coral from a local sales group on Facebook, but say it should be mandatory for warning leaflets to be handed out whenever it is sold.
‘ People need to know what they’re dealing with if they have a marine fish tank,’ added Mrs Stevenson. ‘Nobody seems to know how dangerous coral can be and we only found out the hard way. ‘It nearly killed us. I thought I was going to die. I’ve had nightmares ever since and I can’t sleep.’
After a similar incident in Oxfordshire last year and a number of other cases, Health Protection Scotland and the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association produced guidance to help marine aquarium hobbyists who keep corals protect themselves against palytoxin poisoning.
It said that wherever possible, marine organisms such as coral should be handled fully submerged in water, adding: ‘If hobbyists do need to transfer them, the advice is to do so using submerged plastic bags, containers or buckets.’
West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews were sent to the house in the early hours of July 31.
A spokesman added: ‘On arrival, an ambulance crew found several patients who were feeling unwell.
‘Six patients received treatment [and] four ambulance staff were assessed at hospital as a precaution. All were later discharged.’