Beware Fresh Silkworm Pupae During Spring Festival
Spring Festival marks the peak season for fresh silkworm pupae. Some diners indulge in them for novelty, especially during the holiday. Last year, our city’s 120 emergency center treated four cases of allergic poisoning caused by eating fresh silkworm pupae in quick succession during the Spring Festival. Symptoms included dizziness, nausea, palpitations, chest tightness, and limb tremors. Severe cases experienced hypotension, cyanotic lips, and coma, requiring intensive hospital care to survive.
Professor Yu Xiaoming, head of the Emergency Department at the Sixth People’s Hospital, warns against blindly consuming fresh silkworm pupae, especially for those with allergic constitutions. Improper consumption may trigger silkworm pupae encephalopathy or protein allergy. If signs like limb tremors appear, immediate medical attention is essential.