Botulism
From Guide to YKHC Medical Practices
- Food borne botulism is very common in our region as the consumption of fermented traditional foods is very common. Bethel is one of the repositories of botulism anti-toxin from the CDC and we have several kits here that we can use to treat patients. Botulism should be suspected in any patient with a history of consuming traditional fermented foods and symptoms such as weakness, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, ileus, diarrhea or dyspnea (especially without gasping or rapid respiratory rate.)
- All suspected cases of botulism MUST be reported immediately to State of Alaska section of epidemiology 907-269-8000 or 800-478-0084. The state of Alaska has a very nice booklet on botulism that outlines symptoms and case recognition and appropriate treatment that can be found on the following web site. There are also *hard copies in the ED and on NW.
- Link to: State of Alaska website on botulism
- Patients with suspected exposure to botulism should be treated with the anti-toxin and hospitalized. Measured Forced Vital Capacity needs to be measured and repeated hourly and if less than ____% predicted or a decreased in ____%, intubation should be considered. There is a special kit with the anti-toxin in the ED that you need to look over with information on administration and dosage. This paperwork MUST be completed and returned to the State of Alaska.
