Two people from Lea County, NM have been hospitalized in Texas with botulism, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. Officials have not yet determined the source of the outbreak but they believe it is contaminated food.
Botulism causes illness and paralysis and can be fatal. It is caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which is found in soil and dust.
Symptoms include: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, muscle weakness, decending paralysis, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. If untreated, death can occur if the paralysis reaches the respiratory muscles. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor.
There are three kinds of botulism: foodborne, wound and infant. Of the 145 cases reported in the U.S. each year, about 15 percent are foodborne, 65 percent are infant and 20 percent are wound most of which are associated with heroin use.
Botulism from food is often associated with home-canned foods that have low acid content, such as asparagus, green beans, beets and corn. In the past, illnesses have been attributed to chopped garlic in oil, canned cheese sauce, chile peppers, tomatoes, carrot juice, and baked potatoes wrapped in foil an fermented fish.
