Svoboda | Graniru | BBC Russia | Golosameriki | Facebook

Outbreak of Foodborne Botulism in an Immigrant Community: Overcoming Delayed Disease Recognition, Ambiguous Epidemiologic Links, and Cultural Barriers to Identify the Cause

Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27;66(suppl_1):S82-S84. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix817.

Abstract

We describe a botulism outbreak involving 4 Middle Eastern men complicated by delayed diagnosis, ambiguous epidemiologic links among patients, and illness onset dates inconsistent with a point-source exposure. Homemade turshi, a fermented vegetable dish, was the likely cause. Patients ate turshi at 2 locations on different days over 1 month.

Keywords: botulism; foodborne illness; outbreak.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Botulism / diagnosis*
  • Botulism / epidemiology*
  • Botulism / etiology
  • Cultural Characteristics
  • Delayed Diagnosis*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Texas / epidemiology
  • Young Adult