The World Health Organization (WHO) warned this Wednesday about a recent outbreak of botulism in France, with one death already, highlighting that more infections could be diagnosed, even among tourists, due to the influx of public to the Rugby World Cup.
“Given the eight-day incubation period and that the restaurant [onde foi identificada a fonte das primeiras infeções] attracted visitors from other countries during the Rugby World Cup, there is a possibility of additional cases occurring in France or outside the country when travelers return home,” the WHO said in a statement.
The United Nations health agency indicated that the origin of the infection was sardines consumed in a restaurant in Bordeaux, according to French health authorities, the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar, during the week of September 4 to 10.
A total of 15 customers at that restaurant were identified as “suspected cases of botulism,” including one fatality, according to the report by French health authorities published on Friday.
In 14 of the 15 cases, the clients are foreign citizens, of North American, Canadian, Irish, Greek, British and German nationality, according to the WHO.
The French investigation determined, through credit card receipts, that approximately 25 people “were exposed,” meaning they likely consumed the suspect food.
Botulism is a serious disease, with a mortality rate of between 5 and 10 percent.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, vision problems, dry mouth accompanied by difficulty swallowing or even speaking, and neurological symptoms such as lack of balance or muscle paralysis.
It is caused by a toxin generated by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which develops especially in poorly preserved and not sufficiently sterilized foods, such as salted meats, sausages or preserves of family or artisanal origin.
Source: TSF
