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Clostridium botulism
Botulism is a rare but serious
illness caused by a bacterium
which occurs in soil. It produces
a toxin that affects your nerves.
Foodborne botulism comes from
eating foods contaminated with
the toxin.
Sources:
Infants: Honey, home-canned
vegetables and fruits, corn syrup
Children and adults: Homecanned foods with a low acid
content, improperly canned
commercial foods, home-canned
or fermented fish, herb-infused
oils, baked potatoes in aluminum
foil, cheese sauce, bottled garlic,
foods held warm for extended
periods of time
Treatment
Antitoxin should be administered
as soon as possible after a
clinical diagnosis
Severe botulism cases require
supportive treatment, especially
mechanical ventilation, which
may be required for weeks or
even months.
Preventive Measures
Follow safe picking and storing
of canned goods
Botulism may be prevented by
the inactivation of the bacterial
spores in heat-sterilized (e.g.
retorted) or canned products or
by inhibiting bacterial growth in
other products.
keep clean
separate raw and cooked
cook thoroughly
keep food at safe
temperatures
5.
use safe water and raw
materials.