Half of Botulism Patients Released from IC, Source Traced to Local Hamburgini Restaurant
Last Thursday, over half of the patients who fell ill from food poisoning caused by clostridium botulinum bacteria were discharged from intensive care, and 25 were released from a local hospital, according to the Ministry of Health.
The source of the contaminated food was confirmed to be from the Hamburgini fast-food restaurant chain.
The ministry's spokesperson, Dr. Mohammed Khalid Alabdulaali, urged the public to only obtain information from official sources and to avoid spreading unconfirmed rumors.
Botulism is a severe neurological disorder caused by ingesting contaminated food with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.
This condition can lead to paralysis and even death if not treated promptly.
According to gastroenterologist Mohammed Al-Awamy, botulism occurs in environments where oxygen is minimal, such as canned goods and vacuum-sealed meats.
To prevent botulism, it's essential to eliminate sources of contamination by tracing and ensuring the safe storage and processing of food products.
Botulism is a life-threatening condition with symptoms starting in the face and descending to involve the limbs and trunk, leading to respiratory failure, cardiopulmonary collapse, and potential need for advanced life-support measures.
Anyone suspected of having botulism must seek urgent medical attention, and treatment is supportive with the possibility of anti-toxin administration and ICU admission with mechanical ventilation for more advanced cases.