ciguatera
noun
ci·gua·tera ˌsē-gwə-ˈter-ə 
ˌsi-
: poisoning caused by the ingestion of various normally edible tropical fish in whose flesh a toxic substance (such as one produced by some dinoflagellates) has accumulated
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Additionally, people who eat blue tangs have been known to develop a serious foodborne illness called ciguatera poisoning. 
National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020 People are afraid to eat them because of their association with ciguatera, a dinoflagellate that can cause intestinal distress. AL.com, 23 July 2017 According to the paper, more than half the samples identified as a substitute species carried a health risk, including parasites, chemicals, and toxins such as ciguatera, which can cause neurological problems. Paul Sutherland, National Geographic, 9 Sep. 2016 Higher temperatures and rainfall changes would increase the prevalence of diseases like dengue fever and ciguatera poisoning. Mike Ives, New York Times, 2 July 2016
National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2020 People are afraid to eat them because of their association with ciguatera, a dinoflagellate that can cause intestinal distress. AL.com, 23 July 2017 According to the paper, more than half the samples identified as a substitute species carried a health risk, including parasites, chemicals, and toxins such as ciguatera, which can cause neurological problems. Paul Sutherland, National Geographic, 9 Sep. 2016 Higher temperatures and rainfall changes would increase the prevalence of diseases like dengue fever and ciguatera poisoning. Mike Ives, New York Times, 2 July 2016 Word History
Etymology
American Spanish, from ciguato person ill with ciguatera, perhaps from cigua sea snail
First Known Use
1862, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
ciguatera
noun
ci·gua·tera ˌsē-gwə-ˈter-ə, ˌsig-
: poisoning caused by the ingestion of various normally edible tropical fish in whose flesh a toxic substance (as one produced by some dinoflagellates) has accumulated