A botulism outbreak has sickened 20 people and killed one person after those people attended a church potluck in Ohio. All of the patients who were brought to the Fairfield Medical Center Emergency Department in Lancaster, Ohio attended a potluck on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at the Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Lancaster. Five people are in the Intensive Care Unit, and ten were transported to hospitals in Columbus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is sending anti-toxin to the hospitals in the area. Some of the patients are on ventilators. Clostridium botulinum bacteria produce a toxin that paralyzes nerves. The bacteria grows in anaerobic environments (without oxygen) and can be present in improperly canned low-acid foods such as canned green beans or … [Read more...]
Botulism Outbreak Sickens Two From Lea County NM
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 … [Read more...]
D.Palmieri’s Pasta Sauces Recalled for Botulism Risk
D.Palmieri's pasta sauces are being recalled for botulism risk, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. Consumers who have purchased these sauces should not eat them as botulism can cause life-threatening illness. At the time of the recall, no illness had been reported. The recalled sauces include Roasted Garlic Sauce, Clam Sauce, Tomato Basil Sauce, Fra-Diavalo Sauce, and Marinara Sauce from D.Palmieri's Bakery on 624 Killingly St in Johnston. The sauces pose a botulism risk because they were not processed properly. The Botulinum toxin can grow in products that are not properly processed. Botulism causes paralysis and can be fatal. Symptoms of poisoning include blurred or double vision, general weakness, and poor reflexes, difficulty swallowing and respiratory paralysis. … [Read more...]
Red Thread Fish Recalled for Botulism Risk
Arcadia Trading Inc. of Brooklyn is recalling all packages of Red Thread Fish due to a botulism risk. Consumers who have purchased this product should not eat it and may return it to the place of purchase for a refund. The recalled products were packed in 7 oz. heat sealed plastic bags and sold nationwide. The recalled products pose a risk even if they don't look or smell spoiled. The problem was discovered by New York State Department of Agriculture inspectors who noted, during a routine inspection, that the fish was not properly eviscerated prior to processing. New York state regulations prohibit the sale of uneviscerated processed fish because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Past botulism … [Read more...]
Botulism in Seal Oil Sickens at Least 25 in Alaska
According to Public Radio for Alaska's Bristol Bay (KDLG), a botulism outbreak linked to a batch of contaminated seal oil has sickened more than 25 people. The seal oil was made in the village of Twin Hills. Several people have been hospitalized in this outbreak because they can't breathe on their own. The first botulism illnesses were reported December 19, 2014 when two people has to be flown from Quinhagak to Bethel for medical care. They were then medevaced to Anchorage on respiratory support. One child has been sickened in this outbreak. Those sickened live in Quinhagak, Twin Hills, and Dillingham. Several people are being monitored by public health officials. Dr. Michael Cooper, the Infectious Disease Program Manager at the State Department of Epidemiology told KDLG, "This is a … [Read more...]
Botulism Outbreak in Western Alaska
According to Alaska Dispatch News, state officials are investigating a botulism outbreak in Western Alaska. Two people have been sickened and one person died after eating a meal of fermented fish heads. The patients lived in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Samples of food are being tested, and samples from people who have been sick are being examined for the botulinum toxin. If the death is confirmed as from botulism poisoning, it will be the first death in that state from botulism since 2007. The person who died complained of seeing double and feeling sick after eating the fish. Botulism toxin is produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The bacteria grows in anaerobic (no oxygen) conditions, such as in canned low-acid foods. A tiny amount of the toxin is enough to kill a person. … [Read more...]
Botulism Outbreak Linked to Chili Sauce Sickened 8
Recalled jarred sauces made by VR Greens have hospitalized two people in Ohio with botulism poisoning. The products, which included pesto sauce, tomato sauce and pasta sauce were not properly processed. Botulism, a severe, sometimes fatal, form of food poisoning caused by ingesting a nerve toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, is rare. Less than 30 cases of foodborne botulism are reported annually in the United States. Most botulism outbreaks are caused by home-canned foods that are improperly processed, but some have been linked to commercially-produced foods. Outbreaks have been linked to canned salmon, smoked fish, Italian olives, bottled garlic and baby food. Restaurant foods including sauteed onions, chopped bottled garlic, potato salad and baked potatoes have also … [Read more...]
Richard’s Too Good BBQ Sauces Recalled for Botulism Risk
Richard’s Rubs & Seasonings is recalling Richard’s Too Good BBQ Sauce, Richard’s Too Good Hot Sauce and Richard’s Too Good Teriyaki Sauce for possible botulism risk. Botulism is a potentially fatal foodborne illness. The sauces were improperly processed and have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a nerve toxin which can cause botulism. Botulism, which causes paralysis, cannot be spread from person to person. Symptoms, which usually develop within 12 to 36 hours of exposure, include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness beginning with facial muscles and moving down. Respiratory failure occurs when it reaches the muscle groups that control lung function. Anyone who ate one of the … [Read more...]
Healdsburg Pickling Company Foods Recalled for Botulism Risk
Healdsburg Pickling Company of California is recalling jarred food products because they may have been improperly processed, making them susceptible to contamination with Clostridium Botulinum. If you consume the botulinum toxin, you could have a serious illness. No illnesses are linked to these products at this time. Pickles, Pickled Green Beans, and Pickled Carrots are being recalled. They were sold under the Healdsburg Pickling Company label and packaged in quart and pint glass jars with screw-on metal lids. The products do not have any coding, UPC numbers, or "use by" dates. The products were only sold at The Cheese Shop at 423 Center Street in Healdsburg, California, and at Perry's Deli at 12301 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Inverness Park, California. If you purchased any of these … [Read more...]
Botulism from Canned Food Spawns MS Man’s 3-Year Survival Struggle
On Thanksgiving weekend 2011, Jay Klein of Mississippi ate some canned food that almost killed him. The former construction worker didn't know what was happening to him, that a nerve toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria in the food he ate was paralyzing his muscles. Neither did the emergency room doctors who placed him on a ventilator. Six days after Klein was admitted, they prepared to tell his wife Amanda that he was brain dead, although he was actually fully conscious. Klein, who recently shared his story with WMCTV, says he was aware of what was happening but unable to move more speak. He prayed that God would help him show the doctors he could hear and understand and somehow when the doctor told him to move his leg, Klein did. After almost three years in and out … [Read more...]
