Alaska News

Three sickened in Koyuk after eating fermented seal flipper

Three people from the Western Alaska village of Koyuk were treated for botulism after they ate fermented seal flipper last week, according to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

Two separate meals were responsible, said Sarana Schell, DHSS public information officer. While the same people prepared both meals, the meals were prepared separately with meat from different seals, she said.

Dr. Michael Cooper, the infectious disease program manager at the state Department of Epidemiology, said that in both instances, the seal flipper was wrapped in seal skin and placed in a box. Seven people ate the meal on May 4. On May 9, four people had the meal, he said.

In total, five of those people were flown from Koyuk to Anchorage for further care and evaluation. Three received the antidote for botulism. Two did not. At least two of the five people remained in the hospital Thursday for ongoing monitoring, Cooper said.

Cooper cautioned that people should know the risks of traditionally fermented foods and how to lower the risks if they choose to prepare and eat those foods.

According to a 2011 report, "Botulism in Alaska," all cases of food-borne botulism in the state were associated with the consumption of traditional Alaska Native foods, including fermented and dried foods and traditionally prepared condiments.

For some, methods of aging food have changed, the report says. The traditional way of aging fish in grass or straw has given way to glass or plastic containers. Plastic, glass or sealed bags do not allow air to reach the food and can increase the risk of the formation of botulinum toxin.

ADVERTISEMENT

In December, a particularly toxic batch of seal oil led to a botulism outbreak in Bristol Bay communities. Several people were hospitalized. Earlier in 2014, botulism was suspected in the death of a man from Lower Kalskag who died after he ate fermented fish heads.

DHSS reported that between 1950 and 2010, there were 283 cases of botulism in Alaska, 20 of which resulted in death. Symptoms of the illness include difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, fatigue and blurry vision.

Schell said that in Koyuk the fermented seal flipper was only served at the meals on May 4 and May 9. Leftover seal flipper from the second meal tested positive Wednesday for botulinum toxin, she said.

Tegan Hanlon

Tegan Hanlon was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News between 2013 and 2019. She now reports for Alaska Public Media.

ADVERTISEMENT