Epidemiología de la Ciguatera en 16 a？os de estudio en la provincia de Ciego de ávila

the outbreaks of ciguatera poisoning reported between 1983 and 1998 were analyzed. 46 outbreaks with 305 cases and no death were reported during this period. the highest frequency of outbreaks was observed from 1990 to 1995. of the total of outbreaks, 43 were reported in autochthonous population and 3 among foreigners. there was a prevalence of residential outbreaks (82.6 %). as the main source of fish supply, it was found the purchase from private sellers and the selfconsumption of amateur fishers. only in one outbreak the fish was supplied by the fishing enterprise, which shows the efficacy of the regulations established on this regard. 14 species of fish producing outbreaks were detected, with a predominance of great barracuda (30.4 %), jack mackerel (17 %), gag and cuban snapper (10.8 %). a higher number of outbreaks was found in the trimester july-september with 22 (47.8 %), whereas most of the cases were reported in august and september. the age groups 15-30 (40.6 %) and 31-46 (31.4 %) stood out. males prevailed with 60.3 %. the incubation period oscillated from 1 to 25 hours and the highest frequency was in the range of 4 to 6 hours (34.4 %).