Hundreds Of Birds Found Dead At Local Reservoir Jul 29, 2010
Avian Botulism May Have Killed Birds, Water Safe For People, Authorities Say ... The Sweetwater Reservoir provides water for 186,000 South Bay residents, but it is possible the water could be contaminated with avian botulism ... He said if it is avian botulism, it is not harmful to humans. (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
- New rules for vacuum-packaged foods outlined Jul 8, 2010
BAR TO BOTULISM:: Manufacturers must completely sterilize or refrigerate their products and label them with a 10-day expiration date, starting in September ... The new regulations come after recent cases of botulism in which victims reportedly ate vacuum-packaged dried beancurd ... The bacteria causing botulism, Clostridium botulinum, does not require oxygen to grow and thrives in vacuum packs if they are not sterilized thoroughly, posing a serious risk to consumers. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
REPORT: FDA inspectors found live roaches Jun 28, 2010
was issued a warning letter because tilapia filets and shrimp meals were "prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions" that may be "injurious to health." There was concern about botulism, caused by toxins that are among the most poisonous to humans. Sky Chefs implemented a global quality and safety system "harmonizing food safety at all its kitchens" in 2002, says Van Duyne. (USA Today -- Money)
Botox eases nerve pain in certain patients Jun 11, 2010
Each was given a 20-unit injection of Botox, a brand-name drug that contains botulinum toxin, made from the same bacterium that causes botulism, a paralyzing and life-threatening form of food poisoning. Christo used a CT scanner to guide the placement of the needle in the patient's anterior scalene muscle in the neck. (EurekAlert!)
- Beware vacuum-packed foods, CPC says Jun 10, 2010
Following recent cases of botulism, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) yesterday said that vacuum-packaged products are not necessarily bacteria-free and that consumers should not purchase vacuum-packaged bean curd products that are not refrigerated ... Foods that come in regular packaging are safe from botulism contamination, while foods in vacuum packaging must be rid of bacteria through ultra-high temperature and high-pressure conditions ... Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin produced... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Taiwan)
Feast or famine Jun 4, 2010
Other times, a shipment of canned goods improperly sealed on a single assembly line was found to be brimming with botulism. Thinking back on past recalls, I can t recollect a time when I actually got sick eating something tainted from the supermarket. (Houston Business Journal, TX)
Warning over giving babies honey Jun 4, 2010
Honey can contain botulism bacteria. Parents are being reminded not to feed honey to babies after three cases of botulism in the past year ... Children under the age of one year are unable to fight off the botulism bacteria which can cause serious illness and lead to paralysis, The Food Standards Agency warned. (BBC News -- Health)
* Three food samples test negative for 'botulinum' toxin May 24, 2010
Department of Health (DOH) officials announced yesterday that samples from three types of food product suspected of causing botulism infections tested negative for the botulinum toxin after an initial round of laboratory tests ... Health authorities also recalled more than 2,200 packs of dried beancurd and other soybean foodstuffs produced by Cheng Hsiang yesterday, after recent reports that several people had been poisoned by botulism as a result of eating the products ... Cheng Hsiangs... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
* Alleged case of botulism prompts beancurd recall May 23, 2010
Alleged case of botulism prompts beancurd recall. HEALTH SCARE: The dried beancurd industry based in Dasi Township, Taoyuan County, was hit hard after a case of botulism poisoning was reported last month STAFF WRITER Sunday, May 23, 2010, Page 1 ... The Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday it had ordered a recall of dried beancurd produced by Cheng Hsiang Foods after a recent report of a woman and her mother-in-law in Taipei County allegedly being poisoned by botulism following consumption... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
The Truth About Plastic May 15, 2010
Each ingredient is a part of hundreds of household items; BPA is in everything from baby bottles to can linings (to protect against E. coli and botulism), while phthalates are found in children's toys as well as vinyl shower curtains. And those chemicals can get inside us through the food, water and bits of dust we consume or even by being absorbed through our skin. (Time.com)
Oklahoma Jury Awards $15 Million in Botox Case May 13, 2010
A jury in Oklahoma County has found the maker of Botox negligent and awarded $15 million to a doctor who says she suffered botulism after using the anti-wrinkle drug. The jury found Allergan Inc. negligent on Tuesday because the label on the product did not include enough information about potential side effects. (Law.com)
How Botulism-Causing Toxin Can Enter Circulation May 12, 2010
ScienceDaily (May 11, 2010) New research in the Journal of Cell Biology helps explain how the toxic protein responsible for botulism can enter circulation from the digestive system ... Botulism, a rare but serious paralytic illness, is caused by botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), an extremely toxic protein that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum ... In food-borne botulism, the nontoxic components of BoNT -- including hemagglutinin (HA) -- protect the toxin from the low pH and enzymes... (Science Daily)
Raw-milk advocates rally for access to their drink May 11, 2010
Soares said that there are a myriad of diseases and bacteria that can arise from milk that is not pasteurized, such as E. coli, salmonella, and botulism. But proponents of raw milk say that since the state started licensing farms to sell it in 1993, there have been no illnesses or deaths associated with consumption. (Boston Globe)
Biologists Discover an Extra Layer of Protection for Bacterial Spores May 10, 2010
Their findings offer additional insight into why spores of the bacteria that cause botulism, tetanus, and anthrax survive methods to eradicate them ... The researchers named this coat layer, located on the spores' outer surface, the "spore crust." While it has not yet been confirmed, it is possible that the spore crust is a common feature of all spore-forming bacteria, such as the botulism, tetanus, and anthrax pathogens. (Science Daily)
Chewing on change May 9, 2010
If the vegetables are improperly canned, people could ingest botulism, a toxin that can cause serious injury or death. "When I dredge up the threat of botulism, we are not talking about three or four days of nausea and diarrhea," Harrington said. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
* CDC confirms botulism death Apr 19, 2010
CDC confirms botulism death ... The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed yesterday that a woman who died on April 14 after eating dried beancurd and preserved oysters had a botulism infection ... CDC Deputy Director Lin Ting (L) said lab tests confirmed that the 44-year-old woman from Miaoli County had contracted botulism, which is usually caused by a nerve toxin produced by the clostridium botulinum bacteria. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
* Botulism suspected in death in Miaoli Apr 17, 2010
Botulism suspected in death in Miaoli ... Coroners yesterday performed an autopsy on a woman who may have been poisoned by botulism, presumably either from eating dried bean curd or preserved oysters ... The two Miaoli women were the third and fourth cases of botulism this year after a mother and daughter in Taoyuan County were diagnosed with botulism early this month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Carole Estabrook: Bo-tax isn't going help U.S. Apr 12, 2010
But I find it rather suspicious that the American Academy of Dermatology would deem indoor tanning any more reckless than injecting botulism into the human face. And are UV rays from a tanning bed any more damaging than UV rays from the sun. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
More Breast Feeding Could Save 900 Babies a Year Apr 6, 2010
Cans of formula themselves have been recalled numerous times in the last decade for things such as containing ground glass, dangerous amounts of iron, botulism, etc. It is nice to know that the milk in your breasts is not tainted. (CBS News)
Boaters gear for mussel patrols Apr 4, 2010
The mussel has been linked to avian botulism outbreaks that have killed hundreds of loons, grebes and cormorants. Biologists said it can be very expensive to deal with the two mussel species once they have established themselves in lakes and reservoirs. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
The Health Benefits of Honey Mar 26, 2010
However, infants one year and younger should never be given honey, as a bacteria in honey may cause infant botulism, a very dangerous disease. Honey Very Healing For Wounds. (Suite101.com)
Wyo G&F targets aquatic invasive species Mar 12, 2010
Zebra mussels have been linked to toxic algae blooms and quagga mussels have been linked to avian botulism outbreaks that have killed hundreds of loons, grebes and cormorants. Mussel costs. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
USA pays for food-borne illness: $152B a year Mar 3, 2010
The most expensive were vibrio vulnificus, from shellfish, at $3,045,726 per case; listeria at $1,695,143 per case; and botulism, from improperly canned foods, at $726,362 per case. Costs include medical services, death, disability, and pain and suffering. (USA Today)
What an opportunity Mar 1, 2010
If HB54 passes, tourists will be able to not only learn about Butch Cassidy, the Hole-in-the-Wall gang, and explosive gunfights, they will also be able to experience historic diseases like dysentery, botulism, and explosive vomiting ... Once common diseases like dysentery, botulism, and trichinosis are now unheard of historical oddities, thanks to modern, science-based regulations. (Casper Star-Tribune, WY)
UMass leader to step down Mar 1, 2010
UMass Dartmouth and Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine work together researching botulinum, the toxin that causes botulism. And UMass is working with MIT, Boston University, and others on building a high-technology computing center in Holyoke, which will provide the research infrastructure universities need to attract funding, Wilson said. (Boston Globe)
Novel Antitoxin Strategy Developed Using 'Tagged Binding Agents' Feb 26, 2010
Botulinum toxin, which causes botulism, is the most acutely poisonous substance known and is considered among the most dangerous bioterrorist threats ... "We've proven this approach to protect against Botulinum intoxication in mice and we hope this will lead to rapid development and deployment of many new anti-toxin therapies -- for botulism and beyond," said Charles B. Shoemaker, PhD, professor of biomedical sciences at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and the study's... (Science Daily)
Are Canned Foods Good for You? Feb 25, 2010
Even a small dose of botulinum toxin can cause the deadly paralytic illness known as botulism. Thankfully, the canning process produces temperatures high enough to kill the botulism-causing bacteria ... Although the risk of botulism and BPA-related disorders from canned foods is low, it is not necessarily nonexistent. (Fox News)
Dogs getting sick from iguanas killed by cold Feb 8, 2010
They seem to be contracting botulism, an infection causes paralysis ... Though botulism seems to be the problem, vets say it's nearly impossible to say for sure. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Olive Oil Products Make Great Gifts Feb 4, 2010
Add a little lemon juice and salt to prevent botulism from developing. Seal the container properly and allow to infuse for approximately 2 weeks. (Suite101.com)
How Clean Is Your Pre-Washed Salad? Feb 3, 2010
I do this with store bought vegetables because I am scared of that rare can or jar with botulism toxins which can kill. I have done this 35 years and no one has ever been sick from my food. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Seagulls feading in landfill may be harmful Jan 31, 2010
"It's like a lot of things. When you're exposed to salmonella or even botulism, quite often it kills the birds," said Jim Rodgers, avian research leader for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ... A 1993 study by the Zoological Society of London found gulls can pick up botulism at landfills and introduce it to other bird populations, which can kill gulls and waterfowl. (Florida Today)
Vets: iguanas might poison dogs Jan 30, 2010
Vets said the sooner you can bring your pet to a veterinarian, the better the chance they have to stop the spreading of the botulism. It could be weeks before the dogs will be able to walk normally again. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Botox safety key in cerebral palsy case Jan 28, 2010
But that year, a year after Kristen died, the US Food and Drug Administration ordered that Botox carry labels warning of its potential to cause botulism symptoms, including ''potentially life-threatening swallowing and breathing difficulties and even death. It also ordered Allergan to tell doctors that the toxin could spread beyond the injection site and to prepare a patient guide saying it was not known whether Botox was safe for children or for other patients whose conditions it had not been... (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Llamas: Vital Role in the War on Terror? Jan 21, 2010
Since some sdAb have been shown to have inhibitory activity and can block toxin function, they may play a role as part of a future anti-botulism treatment ... Most cases of botulism are the result of improperly stored foods, which can encourage growth of Clostridia and production of toxin, which is then ingested ... Countermeasures to prevent and treat botulism, such as vaccines and therapeutics, are extremely limited. (Science Daily)
Will budget ax spare tax credits, other incentives? Jan 16, 2010
Dr. George Anthony Oyler is on his way to developing a treatment for botulism, a paralyzing disease considered a bioterrorism agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oyler s LLC expects to test its treatment in animals in the next six months in lab space at the , where his staff of five also is focused on other research in infectious diseases. (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
