Botulism Summary Botulism is a rare but serious illness. The cause is a toxin (poison) made by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. It occurs naturally in soil. There are several kinds of botulism. Foodborne botulism comes from eating foods contaminated with the toxin. Wound botulism happens when a wound infected with the bacteria makes the toxin. It is more common in heroin users. Infant botulism happens when a baby consumes the spores of the bacteria from soil or honey. All forms can be deadly and are medical emergencies. Symptoms include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Treatment may include antitoxins, intensive medical care, or surgery of infected wounds. To prevent botulism: Be very careful when canning foods at home Do not let babies eat honey Get prompt medical care for infected wounds Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Children Botulism American Academy of Pediatrics Botulism Nemours Foundation Infant Botulism (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Start Here Botulism Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Botulism Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Botulism National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Array Botulism Infant botulism Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Botulism National Institutes of Health Specifics Facts about Botulism Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Treatments and Therapies FDA Approves First Botulism Antitoxin for Use in Neutralizing All Seven Known Botulinum Nerve Toxin Serotypes Food and Drug Administration Find an Expert Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Prevention and Risk Factors Frozen, Fully-Cooked Products and Botulism–Food Safety Advisory Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service Related Issues Home Canning and Botulism Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Statistics and Research National Enteric Disease Surveillance: Botulism Annual Summary, 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles Botulism
