Taiwan reports first food botulism case in four years

The Taiwan CDC reports the first case of botulism poisoning this year, which is also the first confirmed case since July 2020.

Image/Dept of State

The case is a woman in her 50s from the southern part of the country with a history of chronic illness. She developed abdominal pain, diarrhea, eyelid ptosis, difficulty swallowing and speaking, general weakness and other neurological symptoms at the emergency department on July 13. On July 19, she was diagnosed with botulism poisoning. She is still being treated in the intensive care unit.

The investigation into the illness revealed the case lived alone and had a habit of eating expired food. The case was intubated and it was not possible to ask detailed dietary history.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. When ingested, the toxin attacks the body’s nerves. Symptoms typically start with muscle weakness in the face and neck, and then spreads to the torso, arms, and legs. The toxin weakens muscles used for breathing which can lead to death. It is important that anyone ill with symptoms of botulism visit a health care provider immediately to be assessed.

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