Botulism

No current outbreak declared. 1 case(s) recorded in 2024 (historical). Zero-tolerance monitoring active — any confirmed case triggers an alert.

What is it?

Botulism is caused by the potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. NYS had 5 cases in 2024. There are several forms: foodborne botulism (from eating improperly preserved foods), wound botulism (increasingly associated with injection drug use), and infant botulism (the most common form in the US, from ingesting bacterial spores). Botulinum toxin is the most potent toxin known — it blocks nerve signals to muscles, causing descending paralysis.

How it spreads

Foodborne botulism: from eating foods contaminated with the toxin, most often home-canned or improperly preserved foods. Wound botulism: from C. botulinum spores infecting a wound, most commonly in people who inject black-tar heroin. Infant botulism: from ingesting spores (in honey, soil, or dust) that germinate in the infant's gut.

Symptoms

Double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness progressing downward from the head. Without treatment, paralysis of breathing muscles can be fatal. The mind typically remains clear.

Who is at risk?

Home food canners who do not follow safe canning practices; people who inject drugs; infants under 12 months (should never be given honey).

What you can do

Any confirmed case in a county triggers an elevated alert. Updated manually when NYSDOH issues outbreak notifications.