Health officials in California are sounding the alarm over an outbreak of a rare, deadly bacteria that had contaminated home-cooked food.
At two events on June 21 and 22 outside of Fresno, roughly 30 members of the same family were exposed to botulism, a rare food-borne pathogen that attacks the body’s nerves.
Eight people have been hospitalized, but officials haven’t specified how many of the exposed were sickened.
Authorities also did not reveal the specific foods that were involved, but urged the family to not eat any more of the contaminated products.
Now, the California Department of Public Health and the CDC have said they are working together on an investigation.
Roughly 30 members of the same family outside of Fresno, California, were exposed to rare but deadly botulism from contaminated home-cooked food
Botulism is caused by a toxin released by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which is normally found in spores in soil, marine areas, and on the surface of foods like fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
These bacteria make spores, which act like protective coatings, which are usually harmless.
However, warm and wet tight spaces lacking oxygen – such as metal cans or plastic jars – can cause the bacteria to release toxins that attack the central nervous system.
The bacteria thrives in canned foods because the canning process forces air out of the food, creating a favorable environment for C. botulinum to grow.
Dr Rais Vohra, interim health officer for Fresno County, California, urged people to follow proper guidelines for home canning, though he also stressed that botulism is rare in the US.
‘Our local health department is working closely with area hospitals, state, and national health agencies on this outbreak,’ he said during a news conference.
‘While the risk to the general population is low, we are actively tracing those who may have consumed the contaminated food to ensure they get timely monitoring and treatment.’
In a separate instance of botulism, Claudia Albuquerque Celada (left) and Doralice Goes (right) were both infected with the bacteria and became paralyzed after eating contaminated food
The CDC estimates there are just 200 cases of botulism in the US every year, and just 25 are from food, making it vanishingly rare. Other causes include infections and, rarely, injecting too much botulinum toxin used in Botox.
Though the risk is low, the investigators in California are searching for anyone else who may have consumed the contaminated food to make sure they are monitored and treated.
Signs of botulism include difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, blurry vision, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, and trouble moving the eyes.
Botulism can be fatal in about five to 10 percent of cases. The condition is treated with antitoxins.
