A cautionary notice has been released following the death of a food influencer who consumed a ‘devil crab’.
Emma Amit, a 51-year-old food vlogger, passed away in hospital two days after she recorded herself eating the Zosimus aeneus crab, commonly referred to as the ‘devil crab’.
On February 4, she shared a video on social media documenting her search for the toxic crabs and other marine life such as shellfish and snails near her coastal residence in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
In the video, after capturing one of these crabs, she proceeded to film herself cooking and consuming it directly from the pot.
The footage is no longer accessible online.
Laddy Gemang, Barangay Chief, informed Philippine news outlet ABS-CBN that Amit lost consciousness shortly after ingesting the crab and was taken to the hospital. The influencer passed away two days later on February 6.
Tragically, a friend who also tasted the crab succumbed as well.
Reports from local media indicate that officials, who inspected Amit’s residence to probe her demise, discovered seven crab shells.
The Zosimus aeneus crab is known to harbor a lethal combination of toxins that can be fatal if consumed. It is considered the most venomous crab in the Philippines, with an alarming mortality rate of up to 50% in poisonings.
This species is prevalent across the Indo-Pacific region, as noted by iNaturalist.
In the wake of Amit’s unfortunate passing, authorities are urging the community to remain cautious of these hazardous crabs.
“Be careful not to eat this devil crab because it is deadly,” Gemang advised ABS-CBN. “It is very dangerous to eat this type of crab because it can kill you in a matter of hours.”
This warning follows an incident where four individuals died and three others required liver transplants after consuming death cap mushrooms in California, USA.
The mushrooms, which can cause intense vomiting, stomach distress, and potentially death, bear a strong resemblance to safe-to-eat varieties.
Consumption of these mushrooms typically results in symptoms of severe liver damage, progressing to liver failure, with many patients requiring admission to intensive care for critical treatment.
The frequency of people mistaking deadly death cap mushrooms for edible alternatives is increasing rapidly. Since November 18, this confusion has led to the poisoning of over three dozen individuals, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
From November onwards, 39 people were poisoned in California, leading to four fatalities. The CDPH stated: “California is experiencing an unprecedented outbreak of severe illness and deaths associated with people accidentally picking and eating Death Cap mushrooms.”