Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria found in soil and untreated water that produces a nerve toxin in the body. Even tiny amounts of the toxin can produce paralysis and death. Botulism can be prevented, but the appropriate measures vary according to the three forms of the illness--food-borne, wound and infant botulism.
Avoiding Honey for Infants
Infant botulism, the most common form of botulism, occurs when Clostridium botulinum spores are ingested by children under the age of 12 months. The spores grow and multiply in the intestine of the infant, producing toxin. Infant botulism has been linked to honey, but the spores also occur in dust, dirt and air, so cannot be completely avoided. The risk of infant botulism can be reduced, however, but not giving honey or any processed foods containing honey to children less than a year old, according to KidsHealth.org.
Safe Food Handling
Food-borne botulism is caused by eating foods contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Often, the source is home-canned, low-acid foods such as asparagus, green beans, beets and corn, although some outbreaks of food-borne botulism have been traced to condiments, carrot juice, improperly handled baked potatoes in aluminum foil and fermented fish. Prevention methods include throwing away bulging cans or foul-smelling preserved foods; sterilizing home-canned foods in a pressure cooker at 250 degrees F for 30 minutes; boiling home-canned food for 10 minutes before eating it; and keeping foil-wrapped baked potatoes hot or storing them in the refrigerator, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Safe Disposal of Suspect Food
State health agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitor outbreaks of botulism and publish information to the public about possible sources of contamination. Individuals should avoid opening or puncturing any unopened can of a recalled or otherwise suspect product. If a potentially contaminated product has been opened, it should be handled with gloves, placed in two plastic bags, taped, and kept away from humans and pets. It should not be discarded in a sink, toilet or garbage disposal. Spills should be cleaned by applying a bleach solution to the spill and covering with paper towels for at least 15 minutes, then cleaning with soap and water. Any materials that came in contact with the food or containers should be discarded.
Wound Care
Wound botulism is caused by C. botulinum bacteria entering the body through a cut or wound, according to MayoClinic.com, then multiplying and producing toxin. Wound botulism can also be caused by injecting contaminated street drugs such as black tar heroin or using contaminated needles. Some cases of botulism have also been traced to inhaling spores from cocaine. Prevention measures include seeking medical care for infected wounds and avoiding the use of street drugs.
