Clostridium botulinum

Botulism is caused by the botulinum toxin, a natural poison produced by bacteria in the Clostridium genus.

Food-borne botulism can usually be traced to eating contaminated home-preserved food. Ways to prevent botulism include washing the lids of preserved foods.

Botulism can be found in improperly stored or preserved foods, especially when done at home.

symptoms

• Appears within 18-36 hours
• Blurred/double vision and difficulty swallowing and speaking
• Constipation, nausea, and vomiting
• Weakness or paralysis
• Respiratory failure and death are very likely without medical care

March 20, 1990. Outbreak in cattle of botulism, as they ate feed with chicken carcass in it. 28 cattle died as a result.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1480848/pdf/canvetj00083-0049a....


http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/botulism

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/botulinum+toxin

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/botulism/

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/botulism/#complications

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/botulism/basics/definition/co...