Botulism Poisoning Cases Up Statewide In Latest Instance, Three From Eastern Idaho Sick After Eating Home-Canned Carrots

Three members of an eastern Idaho family contracted deadly botulism after eating home-canned carrots during a Christmas Eve dinner.

One of the victims was hospitalized Friday in critical condition, his chest muscles paralyzed by a powerful nerve toxin, his body hooked up to a machine that breathes for him.

Health officials are puzzled by what appears to be a statewide rash of botulism poisonings: seven cases of the rare illness in the past 10 months, after 14 consecutive years with no cases.

“There must be more people canning that don’t know what they’re doing, that think it’s a neat thing to do and don’t realize the safety implications,” said Marilyn Bischoff, University of Idaho Extension educator.

Botulism, caused by spores of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, spreads when low-acid foods such as vegetables are canned improperly.

Home canning is popular in the Boise area, said Bischoff, whose office fields thousands of calls each fall from people canning their garden produce.

The most recent victims, from Teton County, ate tainted carrots, said Dr. Christine Hahn, an epidemiologist with the state Department of Health and Welfare.

During dinner, a female relative tasted the carrots and immediately spit them out, saying they tasted bad. The rest of the carrots were thrown out, but three people already had eaten some.

The carrots should have been canned in a pressure canner, experts said.

All three people who ate carrots fell ill: a father, a son and another relative. Father and son were hospitalized. The third victim was less seriously ill.

Botulism toxins cause paralysis that usually starts with a victim’s eyes and face, within 12 to 36 hours after eating tainted food.

The paralysis moves down to the throat, diaphragm, arms and legs.

An anti-toxin is available to treat botulism, but it is most effective if administered very early in the illness.

Father and son were not treated with the anti-toxin until Thursday, said Dr. Jesse Greenblatt, state epidemiologist.

He noted most doctors see very few cases of botulism and may have a hard time diagnosing it early. Untreated cases often are fatal.

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This sidebar appeared with the story: WHAT IT IS Botulism, caused by spores of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, spreads when low-acid foods such as vegetables are canned improperly.