Ciguatera
Thank goodness Lada and I don’t like fish! At least, we didn’t like it that particular evening. Mum and Dad ate some toxic fish, and ciguatera came calling.
Here’s how it works: reef fish feed on coral, which accumulates a particular toxin that is then deposited in the fish’s tissues. It does the fish no harm at all, but for the person who eats it—it’s a complete nightmare. There is no way to detect the toxin; the fish tastes and looks exactly like an uncontaminated one.
So, the captain and first mate have been completely laid up for two days now. But thank God for friends. The crew of the yacht Manaya, whom we first befriended on Easter Island, received our plea for help, dashed to the hospital, bought some medication, and that same day sailed 25 miles to the other end of the island to treat my parents.
Mum is taking paracetamol in the forward cabin; Dad is taking paracetamol in the aft cabin. They’ll live. They’re already feeling better today than they did yesterday. More details later.
Good health to everyone!
Crew member Nastya.