Mass Datura poisoning in Martinique – a descriptive case series

INTRODUCTION: The severity and clinical consequences of exposure to Datura have been infrequently investigated. No data exist in the French Indies of America. We aimed to describe presentations and outcomes in a mass poisoning attributed to a Datura-contaminated batch of organic buckwheat flour, managed in Martinique. METHODS: All patients who contacted the emergency call center or were treated at Martinique's University Hospital for presumed Datura poisoning in February-March 2019 were included. Data were collected retrospectively from the records. Quantitative parameters are expressed as median, [IQR]. RESULTS: Fifty-one poisoned patients were identified including 31 females (62%) and 20 males (38%), with a median age of 40 years [IQR 30-53 years]. Time to symptom onset was one hour [IQR 1-2 hours]. The most frequent symptoms included dry mouth (67%), vertigo (43%), inebriation (43%) and gastrointestinal disturbances (31%). One patient required intensive care. All patients recovered completely. DISCUSSION: The rapid intervention of the Regional Health Agency, retrieving the incriminated batch and informing the public together with hospital team's engagement, limited the extent of poisonings. CONCLUSION: Martinique's Datura contamination of buckwheat flour resulted in fifty-one poisonings with mild-to-moderate toxicities. A multidisciplinary toxicosurveillance and a rapid public health response are required to limit the extent of population exposure and poisoning severity.