California botulism outbreak is rare case of deadly disease

A RARE DISEASE

The National Organization for Rare Disorders says there were 199 confirmed and 14 probable cases of botulism reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2015, the last year for which statistics were available.

More than 70 per cent involved infants, and foodborne botulism comprised 20 per cent of cases.

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CONTRACTING BOTULISM

Foodborne botulism can be acquired by eating foods contaminated with botulinum toxin. Homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved, or fermented are common sources.

Less common are contaminated store-bought foods. In the California case, the cheese manufacturer says the toxin was not found in the cheese product.

Other types include wound botulism, in which spores of the bacteria get into a wound and make a toxin; infant botulism affecting a baby’s intestines; and latrogenic botulism, which occurs if too much botulinum toxin — Botox — is injected for cosmetic or medical reasons, such as treating migraine headaches.

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BOTULISM SYMPTOMS

Foodborne botulism can lead to paralysis, breathing difficulty and sometimes death. Survivors often need to spend weeks or months on ventilators.

Additional symptoms include difficulty swallowing or speaking, dry mouth, facial weakness, blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Many of the same signs and symptoms apply for wound botulism and infant botulism.

The Mayo Clinic reports that symptoms of foodborne botulism typically begin between 12 and 36 hours after the toxin gets into a body.

However, the time can range from a few hours to several days, depending on the amount of toxin ingested.

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PROGNOSIS

Experts advise seeking urgent medical care. Early treatment increases the chance of survival and lessens the risk of complications.

Seeking care promptly may also alert public health authorities and lead to warnings about eating contaminated food.

The Mayo Clinic says an injected antitoxin can reduce the risk of complications.

Many people recover fully, but it might take months and extended rehabilitation therapy.

The majority of botulism patients never fully recover. Long-term effects most often include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, and difficulty performing strenuous tasks.

Patients also report a generally less happy and peaceful psychological state than before their illness.

The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

California botulism outbreak is rare case of deadly disease

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