Travellers to France given warning as 5 in intensive care with stomach infection
Travellers to France have been warned about an outbreak of a serious stomach infection which can be fatal and is caused by eating contaminated food. Five people in central France were rushed to intensive care after displaying signs of botulism,
All the victims consumed the same product – a locally made artisan pesto with wild garlic (Ail des ours). The jars containing the pesto were not correctly sterilised, leading deadly bacteria to form.
The five cases are currently hospitalized in an intensive care unit, Connexion France reported. Leftover food, including the pesto, was sent to the Institut Pasteur for analysis. Botulism is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. These toxins attack the nervous system (nerves, brain and spinal cord) and cause paralysis.
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An investigation by the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations of Indre-et-Loire at the producer revealed that the artisanal production conditions do not guarantee sterilisation. As a precaution, all jars were recalled.
The pesto was sold at four events in Indre-et-Loire, with the first at the end of March 2024 and the latest on Sept. 7 and 8. Authorities advised people who still had the products not to consume them, not to open them, and to throw them away.
In September 2023, during the Rugby World Cup, foodborne botulism affected 16 people in Bordeaux. Patients consumed locally produced canned sardines at Tchin Tchin Wine Bar restaurant. Botulinum poisoning is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating contaminated food. However, they can occur as soon as six hours or up to 10 days later.
Symptoms may include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing or breathing, paralysis — particularly of muscles used for breathing — a thick-feeling tongue, dry mouth, and muscle weakness.
Botulism occurs when the sterilisation process for canned goods or charcuterie is not correctly followed.
It was sold at four events:
Fête des Plantes et du Printemps au château de la Bourdaisière à Montlouis-sur-Loire, On March 30- April 1 2024 ;
Fête « Nature en fête » au Château de Cangé à Saint-Avertin, April 13-14 2024 ;
Foire à l’ail et au basilic à Tours, July 26 2024 ;
Festival de la tomate et des saveurs au château de la Bourdaisière à Montlouis-sur-Loire,September 7-8 2024.
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The time it takes to develop symptoms can vary from a few hours to several days after exposure to the Clostridium botulinum bacteria or their toxins. Depending on the exact type of botulism, some people initially have symptoms such as feeling sick, being sick (vomiting), stomach cramps, diarrhoea or constipation.
Without treatment, botulism eventually causes paralysis that spreads down the body from the head to the legs.
According to the NHS symptoms can include:
drooping eyelids
blurred or double vision
facial muscle weakness
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
slurred speech
breathing difficulties
Affected babies may also have a weak cry, find it difficult to feed, and have a floppy head, neck and limbs.
Further information on the product can be found on the official RappelConso government recall website.