An attack of carnivorous fish in Argentina leaves more than 30 people injured

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – An attack by palometas – a carnivorous fish similar to the piranha – left more than 30 people injured on Monday on the shores of the Paraná river, in the province of Santa Fe (Argentina). The people affected received attention for cuts in hands and feet, local media reported.

The most serious victim was a 13-year-old teenager, whose toe had to be amputated due to the bites. After the operation, she underwent a graft on the fifth metatarsal at a children’s hospital.

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“The natural habitat of the palometa is the lagoon, and the lack of flow and the alteration due to the high temperatures causes the shoal to return to the coast”, explained Sergio Berardi, representative of the Santa Fe Section of the Sindicato Único de Guardavidas.

He also indicated that the bite of this type of fish does not have the same incidence in minors as in adults, so he recommended people not to leave children alone in the water under any circumstances.

“The first and most effective aid is prevention: not to enter the water when the first case appears,” he continued. “You have to understand that the palometas are in the water and you have to take advantage of the showers that are in the spa,” instead of accessing the river, he added.

Palometas, which at this time of year are in their reproductive stage and approaching the coast, have a low-cut caudal fin and a prominent jaw with sharp triangular teeth. In case of receiving one of their bites, it is important to disinfect the wound as soon as possible.

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