Seems to me we should be hearing about scores of deaths. But I'm not hearing about it. In fact, I did a web search and on an annual basis, between zero and six people die from pufferfish poisoning each year.
So it does seem like by and large, this fish is being handled and prepared properly.
There has been some success lately in cultivating the fish in farms, with the bacteria removed entirely. Like the article states it’s not the puffer fish themselves, but the gut fauna excreting the poison as a waste material. It may be possible sooner than later to purchase fugu 100% free of toxin, and at a cheaper price.
From the article it sounds like it is only being sold on the local markets in Malaysia.
It also sounds like this is a fairly new practice so perhaps the statistics are behind.
In the US health statistics usually run a year or two behind. Deaths by this type of fish toxin poisoning may not even be kept.