10 people were hospitalized after a family gathering due to botulism, a rare illness that can occur when canned foods are not processed or stored correctly.
The bacteria is Clostridium botulinum, or botulism. Cavallini James / BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
A family gathering near Fresno, California, led to 10 individuals requiring treatment for botulism, a rare yet severe illness caused by bacteria that impacts the nervous system.
Who is to blame for the outbreak? Delicious homemade nopales or cactus pads.
Two sisters are currently recovering in intensive care. One sister had to undergo a tracheostomy, a procedure to create a breathing tube in the neck, because of respiratory complications caused by the disease.
All eight other hospitalized individuals have been discharged, and there have been no new reported cases since.
“I’ve been working in the county for 26 years, and this is the first instance of a foodborne botulism outbreak,” stated Norma Sanchez, a disease specialist with the Fresno County Department of Public Health, during a press briefing on Tuesday.
According to Sanchez, the first two individuals who fell ill after the party were initially diagnosed with vertigo and were subsequently discharged from the hospital. After conducting a thorough investigation, which involved analyzing the family’s garbage and interviewing people who attended the party, it was discovered that the botulism originated from the home-canned nopales.
Sanchez discovered from the cook that she had preserved the nopales herself in May. Since the incident only involved family members and the food was prepared at home, health officials determined that there was no need to remove any nopales from grocery shelves.
During the press briefing, Dr. Rais Vohra, the interim health officer, emphasized the potential dangers of consuming home-canned foods. He specifically highlighted that this is a common practice among families who wish to preserve their traditions.
As per the CDC, botulism is a result of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria and can occur when foods are not properly home-canned, preserved, or fermented. Common symptoms of the condition include challenges with breathing, weakness in the muscles, and a decrease in visual clarity.
Dr. Vohra highlighted the gravity of botulism, noting that it can be a life-threatening condition. However, he reassured that the majority of individuals who are affected by it have the potential to fully recover.