Many people suffered food poisoning after frying and eating cicadas.

During the first month of summer, hospitals in the mountainous region of Quang Tri province received many cases of food poisoning caused by catching cicadas and frying them to prepare dishes.

Consuming cicadas can easily lead to poisoning and allergic reactions - Photo: TAN VU

On May 5th, Mr. Nguyen Viet Duc, Director of Huong Hoa Regional General Hospital ( Quang Tri province ), stated that from April 1st to May 3rd, the hospital received 9 patients suffering from cicada poisoning, aged from 17 to 86. The patients came from the communes of Huong Phung, Lia, Tan Lap, and Khe Sanh.

According to Mr. Duc, most patients catch cicadas in the wild and fry them in oil or fat to eat. After eating, patients experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and rashes; in severe cases, they may experience difficulty breathing, anaphylactic shock, and life-threatening conditions if not treated promptly.

"Typically, patients need 5-7 days of treatment before their health stabilizes," Mr. Duc informed.

The treatment protocol primarily includes intravenous fluids, electrolyte replacement with oral rehydration solution (ORS), antibiotics, anti-anaphylactic shock medication, and digestive enzymes.

Despite repeated warnings from local health authorities and health centers, the practice of eating cicadas remains common in the mountainous area of ​​Huong Hoa. Each year, hospitals record over 10 cases of poisoning, concentrated during the summer months.

The cause has been identified as cicadas living underground, making them susceptible to toxic fungi and pathogens. When conditions are favorable, fungal spores proliferate and invade the larvae's bodies.

Many people in the mountainous region of Quang Tri suffered food poisoning from eating cicadas - Photo: HOANG TAO

Additionally, the protein in cicadas can cause severe allergic reactions, leading to anaphylactic shock in some sensitive individuals.

The health sector advises people not to consume cicadas to avoid the risk of poisoning, especially during the current hot weather.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bat-ve-sau-chien-an-hang-loat-nguoi-ngo-doc-2026050514440341.htm