Archive for category Botulism
Infections : Botulism – don’t give honey to infants
Posted by admin in Botulism, Child Health, FOOD POISONING, FOOD SAFETY, ICONS - Blackboard, Infections on November 16th, 2011
Botulism is very rare, but nevertheless important because of the severity of the disease caused by the powerful toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.
This bacterium has developed the ability to form spores. It transforms into the spore like state when it doesn’t like the conditions surrounding it. The spore state offers protection to the bacteria. Spores are also a clever kind of fancy dress that some bacteria use to conceal they are present. In the spore form, these bacteria can be regarded as “resting” and inactive. Their presence is not noticed in food unless they emerge from their spore state and become real bacteria again, and then the food will spoil.
Honey is an interesting food. It is said it does not spoil and in fact claims have been made that edible honey has been found in the tombs of ancient Egypt! Have you ever seen fungus growing on top of a jar of honey as it does on top of a pot of jam?
COUNTRY : USA
However, honey carries with it a danger for infants. It may have spores of Clostridium botulinum hiding within it.
So the advice is:
Play safe. Botulism is an extrememly rare but very serious condition. Don’t give honey to infants. Don’t even dip a pacifier in honey.
COUNTRY : UK
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Bacterial infections : Botulism
Posted by admin in Babies and toddlers, Botulism, Child Health, FOOD POISONING, FOOD SAFETY, ICONS - Stethescope and apple, Infections on November 14th, 2011
In Scotland last week, two children from the same family were admitted to hospital with the very serious but rare condition of botulism.
Botulism is a type of food poisoning resulting from the ingestion of a toxin produced from a bacterium know as Clostridium botulinum. The toxin is known as botulinum toxin and is one of the most lethal known to man.
Botulism can also occur by entry of the toxin via contaminated wounds.
In this case the toxin was thought to originate from a jar of curry.
PUBLIC URGED TO BE AWARE OF BOTULISM SYMPTOMS
COUNTRY : SCOTLAND
Investigations are continuing into the possible cause, but botulism is often food borne. Botulism is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which attacks the nervous system and can affect people of any age. The infection is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. Symptoms of foodborne botulism typically begin between 12 and 36 hours after ingestion of contaminated food, but may present in as little as six hours.
The bacteria that produce this toxin can exist in a dormant spore form. Great care must be take in the preparation of certain canned or bottled food in the home. This is why adequate sterilisation of jars used for storage is so important. Even minute amounts of the toxin can be fatal.
The following link to the U.S. National Library of Medicine give practical advice on botulism:
COUNTRY : USA
Prevention
NEVER give honey or corn syrup to infants younger than 1 year old — not even just a little taste on a pacifier.
Prevent infant botulism by breastfeeding only, if possible.
Always throw away bulging cans or foul-smelling preserved foods. Sterilizing home-canned foods by pressure cooking them at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes may reduce the risk for botulism.
Keep foil-wrapped baked potatoes hot or in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
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