Various government agencies issued specific guidance or data during this window:
Ingestion can cause itching around the mouth, headaches, and dizziness within 20 minutes to two hours, rapidly progressing to muscle weakness, paralysis, and fatal respiratory failure. There is no known antidote . Regional Advisories (March – September 2020)
The period of is biologically significant for several toxic species of puffer fish. Blow Fish – March-September 2020
In July 2020, the Department of Public Health conducted testing on 80 fish in the Farmington River. While PFAS levels had declined, a statewide advisory remained in place for all freshwater fish (except sunfish and trout) due to mercury contamination, recommending no more than one meal per week for the general population.
The five most toxic types of tetraodon fish are most dangerous during their breeding periods, which typically occur between February–March and July–September . Various government agencies issued specific guidance or data
The FDA advisory notes that puffer fish caught in mid-Atlantic coastal waters (Virginia to New York) are generally considered safe, while those from other sources are not. DPH Removes Advisory - CT.gov
The Ministry of Health maintained strict regulations during 2020, as incorrectly prepared fugu remains a leading cause of fatal food poisoning in the country, typically among unlicensed amateurs. In July 2020, the Department of Public Health
The primary risk is tetrodotoxin (TTX) , a potent biotoxin found in the fish's liver, ovaries, and skin. TTX is heat-stable and cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing.