[Epidemiology of Ciguatera in the Iles Saintes (Guadeloupe)]

A 1981 retrospective study in the Iles Saintes (Guadeloupe) points to an estimated average number of cases per year of 30 +/- 25 par 10,000 inhabitants, involving 2.6 +/- 1.6 outbreaks per year of this endemic disease. The infection is most common from August to October. The attack rate is 87%. The symptoms, as described by 112 former patients, include the usual digestive and neurological signs, with oculonasal symptoms being particularly frequent. Only in half the cases does the disease require medical care (doctor, dispensary, hospital). The median duration of the illness is 3 weeks. Two patients out of 3 are bedridden. More than one-third present sequelae. Three families of fish are responsible for these cases of food poisoning: the Carangidae, Sphyraenidae, and Muraenidae. The microphagous herbivora species are not incriminated. The results are compared to other series of data published for the Antilles and for the Pacific.