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Last Updated: 15 Sep 08
    Botulism
    Clostridium botulinum
 


stain of botulism
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are three main kinds of botulism. Foodborne botulism is caused by eating foods that contain the botulism toxin. Wound botulism is caused by toxin produced from a wound infected with Clostridium botulinum. Infant botulism is caused by consuming the spores of the botulinum bacteria, which then grow in the intestines and release toxin. All forms of botulism can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies. Foodborne botulism can be especially dangerous because many people can be poisoned by eating a contaminated food.
 
                       INFO PAPER

CLINICALmore...
  New Telephone Number to Report Botulism Cases and Request Antitoxin  15 Apr 03

CONSUMERmore...
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  16 Sep 03

QUESTIONS & ANSWERSmore...
 Botulism - The Disease

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