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What you need to know about botulism
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Location: Blogs Health Alert |
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| Posted by: Naseem S. Miller |
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 |
The government is expanding the list of products that are possibly contaminated with botulims toxin to dog food produced by Castleberry Food Company.
The products are sold under the Natural Balance Eatables dog food label.
Visit this site for a list of recalled products.
These are some key points about botulism:
- Cooking or high temperature will NOT get rid of botulinum, the toxin that causes botulism.
- Consumers who have any of the recalled products or any foods made with these products should throw them away immediately. Double bag the cans in plastic bags that are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash outside of the home.
- Exposure to botulinum toxin can be fatal and two people in Texas and two people in Indiana remain seriously ill and hospitalized with botulism poisoning associated with eating Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
Here are the most common symptoms of botulism in humans:
- They can begin from 6 hours to 2 weeks after eating food that contains the toxin.
- Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, calves, etc.
- Botulism poisoning can also cause paralysis of the breathing muscles which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.
Symptoms in pets:
- The disease has only been seen occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats.
- Ferrets are highly susceptible to botulinum toxin.
- In most cases, the symptoms appear after 12 to 24 hours.
- Botulism is characterized by progressive motor paralysis. Typical clinical signs may include muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing, visual disturbances and generalized weakness may also occur.
You can also visit the CDC for more information about botulism.
And here are some phone numbers if you need more information:
- Castleberry recommends consumers with any questions or concerns about this recall should go to Castleberry’s website (www.castleberrys.com) or call Castleberry’s consumer hotline at 1-800-203-4412 or 1-888-203-8446.
- Consumers with questions can call FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD.
- Consumers can also call the National Alliance for Hispanic Health’s Su Familia Helpline toll-free at 1-866-SU-FAMILIA (1-866-783-2645) to speak to a bilingual (Spanish and English) health promotion advisor with questions about what products are covered under the FDA and USDA recalls, how to identify them, and what to do if they have them in their home. The hours are 9am to 6pm EST, Monday through Friday.
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