Facts About Botulism

— -- Botulism is a rare muscle-paralyzing illness caused by a nerve toxin. Here are some facts about the illness.

What is botulism?

There are three main kinds of botulism. Foodborne botulism is caused by eating foods that contain the botulism toxin,Clostridium botulinum. 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.

Can Clostridium botulinium be used as a bioweapon?

Botulinum toxin poses a major bioweapons threat because of its extreme potency and lethality; its ease of production, transport and misuse; and the potential need for prolonged intensive care in affected persons.

Have people tried developing the toxin as a bioweapon?

A number of states named by the U.S. State Department as "state sponsors of terrorism" have developed or are developing botulinum toxin as a biological weapon. Members of the Japanese cult, Aum Shinrikyo, tried but failed to use botulinum toxin as a biological weapon.

What kind of germ is Clostridium botulinum?

Clostridium botulinum is the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. These rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions. The bacteria form spores which allow them to survive in a dormant state until exposed to conditions that can support their growth. There are seven types of botulism toxin designated by the letters A through G; only types A, B, E and F cause illness in humans.

Can botulism be spread person to person?

Botulism is not spread person to person.

How common is botulism?

In the United States an average of 110 cases of botulism are reported each year. Of these, approximately 25 percent are foodborne, 72 percent are infant botulism, and the rest are wound botulism. Outbreaks of foodborne botulism involving two or more people occur most years and are usually caused by eating contaminated home-canned foods. The number of cases of foodborne and infant botulism has changed little in recent years, but wound botulism has increased because of the use of black-tar heroin, especially in California.