Homemade chilli paste products linked to cluster of rat poisoning cases in south-east Queensland | Queensland

Health officials have identified homemade chilli paste products as the source of rat poisoning cases in south-east Queensland.

Five people from the same geographic area were admitted to hospitals in early October with symptoms consistent with exposure to brodifacoum, the active ingredient in rat poison.

Queensland Health began investigating any potential links or sources and announced on Friday night that they were aware that three in five people had consumed unlabeled homemade chilli paste products.

“These products include homemade chilli and chilli paste and homemade marinated eggplant with chilli and chilli paste,” Queensland Health said in a statement.

Samples of this product tested positive for brodifacoum, the statement said.

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Queensland Health has issued a warning for people to be aware of products they warn may still be in circulation in the Logan community, purchased or gifted from mid-September 2025.

“The products identified are home-made and do not appear to be widely distributed. They are believed to be only available very locally in the Logan community,” chief health officer Dr Catherine McDougall said.

Queensland Health warned that if people think they have these products at home, they should be disposed of immediately in the bin and not in the garden, as pets could eat them.

Brodifacoum interferes with the body’s ability to produce Vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting and can cause bleeding complications if ingested.

Symptoms due to bleeding may include bleeding gums, unexplained bruising, blood in the urine or stool, and otherwise unexplained swelling in the joints.

McDougall said no additional cases of possible brodifacoum poisoning have been identified since the five were reported last week. Queensland Health said all five are now OK.

“We do not believe there is a widespread risk to the general public, but we encourage people in the Logan area to remain vigilant,” McDougall said.

“The investigation is ongoing, we continue to investigate further and will keep the community updated.”