Health officials in Amarillo are investigating an outbreak of botulism, a rare, paralytic illness that can be fatal. At least four people are believed to have eaten something contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that produces a nerve toxin that causes paralysis. All four remain hospitalized and are slowly recovering.
Botulism is not spread from person-to-person contact. Symptoms of foodborne botulism usually develop within 12 to 36 hours of exposure and include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that usually begins at the shoulders and moves down. If the infection reaches the muscles that control breathing, botulism can be fatal without mechanical ventilation. Recovery can take weeks or months.
Treatment for botulism can include an antitoxin which is maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Two of the four patients in Amarillo have received the antitoxin.
A source of exposure has not yet been identified. Each of the four patients knows at least one of the others who became ill. Three of them have had social contact at a local residence. Food, environmental, and clinical samples are undergoing tests at state and federal laboratories. Results are expected in a few days.
The City of Amarillo DPH and Environmental Health (EH) are continuing to investigate these cases and are collaborating with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the CDC. Health official urge anyone experiencing symptoms to see a doctor right away.
