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Ostreopsis is a micro-organism,
“Toxins cannot be destroyed i.e. a microscopic organism, too small
to be seen with the naked eye, with
by cooking, freezing or drying” just a single cell. It is assimilated into a
water-shaped marine microalgae which
belongs to the dinoflagellates group
(has two flagellates).
50µm Ostreopsis ovata attached to a macroalgae
Food poisoning can be caused by algae (electron microscope).
toxins, but also bacteria, parasites, viruses © J.M. Fortuiio, M. Vila. /CM-CS/C.
or chemical products. There are various
symptoms and they can be minor or severe,
acute or chronic and take different forms:
skin and eye irritation, vascular, neurologi-
cal and respiratory problems, and even liver Macroalgae covered
cancer. Poisoning can be fatal or emerge by a thick Ostreopsis biofilm.
years after the toxin was ingested. Because © Luisa Mangialajo
the symptoms can be diffused, sufferers do
not always go to the doctor (some cannot
afford to do so) and tourists only go to the
doctor when they return home.

According to WHO, food poisoning makes
one person in 10 ill, which to date amounts
to 33 million years of life lost per year, par-
ticularly amongst children under 5. Young
people and poorer populations are most
commonly affected.

Ostreopsis mucilaginous
aggregates on the surface.
© Luisa Mangialajo