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		*Clémence Mahana iti* GATTIDr.Sc. Research Associate - Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins INSTITUT LOUIS MALARDE (ILM)**
		After obtaining a PhD in pathophysiology dedicated to neurological damages due to marine biotoxins poisonings, and training in epidemiology in Quebec (Canada), Dr. Gatti joined the Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins led by Dr. Mireille Chinain, located within the Louis Malardé Institute, based in Papeete (Tahiti), in order to develop biomedical research and epidemiological surveillance of ciguatera. In 2014, she compleated a University Diploma in Methods in Clinical Research (University of Bordeaux II). To date, Dr Gatti intervene as an expert for the IOC-UNESCO, the IAEA, the FAO and the WHO; and provides support to countries wishing to establish a ciguatera surveillance. She is at the origin of the conception of this website.

		Mireille CHINAIN Dr.Sc.HDR Head of Unit- Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins INSTITUT LOUIS MALARDE (ILM)
		Mireille Chinain (Dr. Sc., HDR) pursued her studies with a focus in biology at the University of Bordeaux I, and at the University of Montpellier II, where she earned a doctorate in biological sciences from the University of Science and Technology of Languedoc. Back in French Polynesia, she joined, in 1990, ILM’s Unit of Medical Oceanography, which was already specialized in the field of ciguatera for twenty years. She is now working on the development of in vitro cultures of the causative agent of ciguatera, Gambierdiscus dinoflagellate. She is behind the establishment of a unique micro-algae bank rich of several highly toxic strains, which are currently used for mass production of ciguatoxin (CTXS). Thanks to the efforts made in the last decades, her laboratory has now a unique bank of purified CTXS. In 2000, Mireille was appointed Head of the unit, which was renamed the Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins (LBM), there she manages all research programs related to ciguatera. Research conducted at LBM are focused on the eco-toxicology and taxonomy of Gambierdiscus, and on the development of different methods of toxins detection. Mireille is also managing the field monitoring and lagoons risk management programs of French Polynesia and the Pacific Region Her work has been repeatedly acknowledged and rewarded by national and international awards including the Prix Trégouboff Award 2005 in Marine Biology (Academy of Sciences of Paris, France), the Albert Sézary Award 2006 (National Academy of Medicine, Paris, France), and the Tyge Christensen Award 2010 (International Phycological Society).

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LABORATORY OF MARINE BIOTOXINS

Over 50 years of Integrated Ciguatera Research

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Learn more about the activities of the Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins.

Dr. Erwan Oehler

Ciguatera Medical Consultant

Hospital Center of French Polynesia

Born in Brittany in 1977, Erwan undertook several medecine internships at the Hospital Center of French Polynesia in 2005, where he discovered ciguatera poisoning, hardly known in France. Particularly interested by this affection, he dedicated his thesis of General Medecine and Master in Tropical Medicine to this subject. Since 2010, he works in the internal and general medecine unit of the Hospital Center of French Polynesia, where he manages ciguatera-affected patients. Dr Oehler is the medical consultant of www.ciguatera.pf.

Formulaires de déclaration en format "pdf" (cliquer sur l'île concernée pour obtenir le formulaire correspondant)

SOCIETE

TUAMOTU

MARQUISES

AUSTRALES

GAMBIER

Bora Bora

Huahine

Maupiti

Moorea

Raiatea

Tahaa

Tahiti

Tetiaroa

Ahe

Amanu

Anaa

Apataki

Aratika

Arutua

Faaite

Fakahina

Fakarava

Fangatau

Hao

Heretue

Hikueru

Hiti

Katiu

Kauehi

Kaukura

Makatea

Makemo

Manihi

Marokau

Mataiva

Napuka

Niau

Nihiru

Nukutavake

Puka puka

Pukarua

Rangiroa

Raraka

Raroia

Reao

Taenga

Takapoto

Takaroa

Takume

Tatakoto

Tematangi

Tepoto

Tikehau

Tuanake

Tureia

Vahitahi

Vairaatea

Fatu Hiva

Hiva Oa

Nuku Hiva

Tahuata

Ua Huka

Ua Pou

Raivavae

Rapa

Rimatara

Rurutu

Tubuai

Mangareva

Télécharger le formulaire en format tableau Excel avec l'ensemble des cartes des îles ici.


	Bientôt votre site en anglais et en tahitien
	Soon, your website in English
	Phrase en tahitien

Few countries collect epidemiological data specifically related to Ciguatera Poisoning. This is the reason why it is difficult to have a precise idea of the extent of the phenomenon and its evolution on a global scale.

However, following the recent expansion of the toxigenic algae and autochthonous cases of Ciguatera in regions hitherto spared, several local, regional and international initiatives aimed at improving the diagnosis of the disease and the count of cases, and better characterizing the ciguatoxic risk, are emerging.

French Polynesia, particularly concerned by this affection, is a pioneer in terms of epidemiological surveillance of the poisoning. This Pacific island territory, as vast as Europe, has a specifically dedicated health monitoring network, making it possible to follow the evolution of Ciguatera continuously and in real time.

Ciguatera on a global scale, data highly underestimated

The number of annual CP cases worldwide has been estimated at between 50,000 and 200,000, but may represent only 20% of the actual figure.

Indeed, although considered the most widespread non infectious foodborne disease, the data concerning the global population affected suffer from a real lack of completeness, partly due to the lack of information of health care workers and general population, no epidemiological surveillance programme available and difficulties related to the diagnosis (often incorrect or missing).

In addition, due to the lack of specific and effective treatment, many people prefer to treat themselves without the help of a physician, thus escaping the count since they are not subjected to declaration.

Few countries have implemented a CP surveillance program or require its systematic report to Health authorities.
This lack of information therefore contributes to the large underestimation of the number of actual CP cases.

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Imported Ciguatera Cases

The development of tourism and international trade, as well as the growing attraction for "exotic" products , make consumers of temperate regions new potential victims of Ciguatera.

Thus, increasing cases of so-called “imported” ciguatera are reported each year in the United States, Canada or Europe.

It may be a tourist becoming contaminated during a trip to an endemic country, or poisoning occurring in a temperate zone after consumption of contaminated fish imported from an endemic region.

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Map of imported Ciguatera cases

Ciguatera expansion to new areas

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If ciguatera was, until recently, considered as a problem specific to insular and coastal territories of warm seas, we assist for several years to a gradual expansion of ciguatera-affected zones, towards more temperate and previously free regions of Europe, Korea and South Australia...

Autochthonous cases of ciguatera (i.e. linked to the consumption of locally caught fish) have been recorded in new regions since the beginning of the 2000s, specifically in Madeira, the Canary Islands, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Macau, Thailand and South Korea.

The emergence of these new ciguatera prone zones could originate from the impact of climate change (global warming) favoring the proliferation, on a global scale, of toxin-producing organisms and/or the migration of toxic tropical and subtropical fish to more temperate regions.

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CFP statistics in French Polynesia

CFP cases officially declared between 2009 and 2014 (click on the map to enlarge)