A family gathering near Fresno, California, resulted in 10 people contracting botulism, a rare but serious illness caused by bacteria affecting the nervous system, public officials reported Friday.
Source of outbreak
The outbreak was traced to home-canned nopales, or cactus pads. Two sisters are currently in intensive care, with one requiring a tracheostomy due to respiratory complications.
Norma Sanchez of the Fresno County Department of Public Health stated that this is the first foodborne botulism outbreak in her 26-year tenure. Initially, the first two affected individuals were misdiagnosed with vertigo. A thorough investigation linked the illness to the home-canned nopales prepared in May.
Warnings issued
Dr. Rais Vohra, interim health officer, warned of the risks associated with home canning, a common practice for preserving traditional foods. According to the CDC, botulism can result from improperly home-canned, preserved, or fermented foods, causing symptoms like difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, and blurry vision.
Recovery outlook
While botulism is potentially fatal, Dr. Vohra emphasized that most affected individuals can fully recover. All other hospitalized individuals have been released, and no new cases have been reported.