Botulism

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a bacterium which occurs in soil. It produces a toxin that affects your nerves. Foodborne botulism comes from eating foods contaminated with the toxin.

Sources	Infants: Honey, home-canned vegetables and fruits, corn syrup Children and adults: Home-canned foods with a low acid content, improperly canned commercial foods, home-canned or fermented fish, herb-infused oils, baked potatoes in aluminum foil, cheese sauce, bottled garlic, foods held warm for extended periods of time
Incubation Period	Infants: 3-30 days Children and adults: 12-72 hours
Symptoms	Infants: Lethargy, weakness, poor feeding, constipation, poor head control, poor gag and sucking reflex Children and adults: Double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness
Duration of Illness	Variable
What Do I Do?	Botulism is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of botulism, contact your doctor immediately.
How Do I Prevent It?	Be very careful when canning foods at home Do not let babies eat honey Get prompt medical care for infected wounds