Mass Datura poisoning in Martinique - a descriptive case series

The severity and clinical consequences of exposure to Datura have been infrequently investigated. No data exist in the French Indies of America. We aimed to describe presentations and outcomes in a mass poisoning attributed to a Datura-contaminated batch of organic buckwheat flour, managed in Martinique.

All patients who contacted the emergency call center or were treated at Martinique's University Hospital for presumed Datura poisoning in February-March 2019 were included. Data were collected retrospectively from the records. Quantitative parameters are expressed as median, [IQR].

Fifty-one poisoned patients were identified including 31 females (62%) and 20 males (38%), with a median age of 40 years [IQR 30-53 years]. Time to symptom onset was one hour [IQR 1-2 hours]. The most frequent symptoms included dry mouth (67%), vertigo (43%), inebriation (43%) and gastrointestinal disturbances (31%). One patient required intensive care. All patients recovered completely.

The rapid intervention of the Regional Health Agency, retrieving the incriminated batch and informing the public together with hospital team's engagement, limited the extent of poisonings.

Martinique's Datura contamination of buckwheat flour resulted in fifty-one poisonings with mild-to-moderate toxicities. A multidisciplinary toxicosurveillance and a rapid public health response are required to limit the extent of population exposure and poisoning severity.