A rare and serious disease worries the population of Bahia. This Wednesday (25), the Epidemiological Surveillance of Bahia confirmed the sixth case of botulism in the state since January 2024.
Two people died, three are still hospitalized and only one patient has been discharged. They are from the municipalities of Salvador, Campo Formoso, Senhor do Bonfim and Cícero Dantas.
The main suspicion is that the infection occurred through ingestion of contaminated chicken mortadella.
In 2023, two cases of botulism were recorded in Bahia, both in Feira de Santana.
In a video published on the website of the Health Department of the State of Bahia, the coordinator of Communicable Diseases and Diseases, Eleuzina Falcão, highlighted that as it is a serious disease, one case would already be considered an outbreak. She asks the population to be aware of the symptoms, especially any sudden muscular paralysis.
“It is also essential to take extra care with food and drinks. Check the expiration date, quality seal, swollen can, fogged glass”, warns Eleuzina.
According to the Ministry of Health’s glossary, Botulism is a serious, rare, non-contagious neuroparalytic diseasecaused by the action of a potent toxin produced by bacteria Clostridium botulinum (C botulinum). The etiological agent enters the body through injuries or through the ingestion of contaminated food that is not produced and/or preserved properly.
Notification is mandatory and immediate (within 24 hours) so that surveillance actions can be carried out in time to prevent other cases. The disease can lead to death due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
