Public health alert: Brodifacoum (superwarfarin) poisoning cases confirmed
A cluster of cases of positive brodifacoum (superwarfarin) detection in patients not currently on anti-coagulants have been identified in the Brisbane South PHN region. Brodifacoum is the active ingredient in rat poison that inhibits vitamin K. It can cause bleeding-related complications if ingested by humans.
Local clinicians are being asked to discuss treatment in all suspected cases with the Princess Alexandra Hospital Clinical Toxicology Unit by phoning 3176 2111 and asking to speak to the clinical toxicologist on call.
Follow-up of cases will be undertaken by the Metro South Public Health Unit to investigate potential links to other cases.
Information and advice
Queensland Health advises clinicians, hospitals and pathology laboratories to be alert to the possibility of brodifacoum poisoning in asymptomatic patients who have consumed 2 homemade products that may be circulating in the Logan community. These products are:
a homemade capsicum and chilli paste
a homemade marinated eggplant containing a capsicum and chilli paste.
These items may have been purchased or gifted in the Logan area from mid-September 2025 onwards.
Clinicians are also asked to be alert for symptomatic patients who present with bleeding-related symptoms and coagulopathy that cannot otherwise be explained.
Metro South Health recommends performing a screening coagulation profile in all patients who may be involved in the cluster. An INR > 2 with a normal Echis time is suggestive of possible brodifacoum poisoning.
Treatment of cases
Queensland Health recommendations are as follows:
The coagulopathy of brodifacoum can be completely reversed with vitamin K1 (phytomenadione). Large doses are usually needed (e.g. 50mg bd or tds) for many months. Oral vitamin K1 treatment is preferred due to the risk of an anaphylactoid reaction with large doses of intravenous vitamin K1.
In patients with severe bleeding, more rapid reversal with intravenous vitamin K1 and factor replacement is necessary.
Next steps to take
Share this public health alert across your relevant organisation and networks.
Monitor for any patients that fit the criteria identified above.
Notify the PAH Clinical Toxicology Unit of any suspected cases via 3176 2111.