Source of Queensland rat poisoning cases identified as health authority issue urgent warning

Health authorities in Queensland have issued an urgent warning after identifying the likely products linked to a case of poisonings that saw five people, including a child, rushed to hospital last week.

The patients all presented to hospitals in the Logan area with symptoms consistent with ingesting brodifacoum, the active ingredient in rat poison, with health officials scrambling to discover a source.

After an intense investigation, Queensland Health issued an alert on Friday warning people to be aware of two homemade, unlabelled products that may be circulating in the Logan community.

Homemade capsicum and chilli paste and a homemade marinated eggplant containing a capsicum and chilli paste have both been linked to the poisonings, the state health body confirmed.

Three of the five people who presented to hospital last week had consumed these homemade products, and product samples have tested positive for brodifacoum.

These items are said to have been purchased or gifted in the Logan area from mid-September 2025 onwards.

People who may have these products at home are warned they are not safe to eat and are urged to immediately throw them in the bin, not in gardens or compost.

Queensland Health has advised the Logan community to be alert for symptoms consistent with brodifacoum poisoning, particularly if they may have consumed products recently matching the description.

Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said that while there does not appear to be broad risk to the community, she wants the community to remain alert.

“No other possible cases of brodifacoum poisoning have been identified since the five individuals were reported last week,” McDougall said.

“The identified products are homemade and do not appear to be widely distributed. It is believed they are available only very locally in the Logan community.”

Brodifacoum is the active ingredient in rat poison that inhibits Vitamin K, which is essential for blood to clot.

Brodifacoum poisoning can present with bleeding related symptoms that cannot otherwise be explained. These include:

• Bleeding gums
• Unexplained bruises
• Blood in urine or stool
• Swelling of joints

“We do not believe there is a widespread risk to the broader community, however we encourage people in the Logan area to be alert,” McDougall said.

“The investigation remains ongoing, we are continuing to make further enquiries and will keep the community updated.”

If people believe they may have consumed the identified products or are experiencing bleeding that can’t otherwise be explained, they should visit their local GP, local satellite hospital or urgent care clinic for testing, or call 13 HEALTH for further advice.