A state in Brazil has reported half a dozen cases of botulism so far this year, including two deaths.
Bahia’s Epidemiological Surveillance confirmed this week that another case of botulism is under investigation. With the update, the state will have six cases in 2024.
Three patients remain hospitalized, one has already been discharged and two have died. Two cases were recorded in 2023.
According to the Bahia State Health Department (Sesab), the patients come from different municipalities.
However, research has shown that all cases had eaten chicken mortadella. Research is underway to confirm the cause of the disease.
Between 2008 and 2018, 69 cases of botulism were confirmed in Brazil, the majority of which were transmitted through food.
Botulinum poisoning is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. With foodborne botulism, symptoms typically begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, they can occur as early as six hours or up to ten days later.
Symptoms may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, paralysis (especially of the muscles used for breathing), a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth, and muscle weakness.
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