A Washington Man Was Likely Killed by Botulism From Food He Canned at Home

A homo ’s solid food saving hobby appears to have led to his death via botulism . This week , Washington State health officials describe that a Grays Harbor occupier likely died from eating home - canned solid food that contained the bacterial toxin .

The man pop off over the weekend , accord to anews releasefrom the Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Department . He ’s enunciate to have been mature 55 to 65 , and his domicile was apparently filled with around “ 170 pint - sized jars of dwelling - canned food and canning jounce , ” officials tell , which were safely disposed of in accordance with road map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Botulismis a life sentence - lowering but rare illness triggered by the botulinum toxin . The neurotoxin is produced by several specie of Clostridium bacteria , though commonly by its namesake , Clostridium Clostridium botulinum . These bacteria are commonly institute in the environment but are n’t typically a pain to humans , since they only get the toxin in certain conditions when they ’re in their spore form . These conditions let in dwell in a low - oxygen , low - acid , depleted - sugar , and low - salt surround , at just the right temperature range and with enough water .

A medical illustration of Clostridium bacteria in their spore form, which can produce a potent toxin under the right conditions.

A medical illustration of Clostridium bacteria in their spore form, which can produce a potent toxin under the right conditions.Illustration: Jennifer Oosthuizen/CDC

Unfortunately , improperly canned or keep foodscan conform to all of these criterion , work them one of the few comparatively common sources of botulism these solar day . According to the CDC , there were over 200 foodborne outbreak of botulism describe in the U.S. between 1996 and 2014 , with over half involving place - prepared food ; 30 % of these case were because of home - canned vegetable .

Once the toxin is produced , it ’s not always easy to tell , since it ’s odorless and tasteless . Symptomsvary bet on how citizenry are exposed to it , but the toxin paralyzes muscleman , usually leading to problems like difficulty respiration , musculus weakness , and dim address . Foodborne cases also run to involve vomiting , breadbasket pain , and diarrhea , and symptoms normally occur within a day or two .

Pound for pound , botulinum is one of the most lethal toxins bang to exist , and even a small taste of food arrest it can be fatal . In the past times , about one-half of all people with botulism died from it , commonly from respiratory failure . But with advanced aesculapian care , including antitoxin treatment , it ’s now estimated to toss off few than 5 % of people who contract it . Even with prompttreatment , though , sick person can train tortuousness like weeks or months of paralysis and secondary infections , while survivors may need farsighted - condition rehabilitation to go back .

Of naturally , botulinum toxin has take on a second spirit in recent decennium . It ’s most famously used cosmetically to temporarily paralyse people ’s facial muscles and reduce wrinkles , under the brand name Botox . Other medical applicationsincludetreating urinary incontinence , continuing megrim , and various shape of spasm .

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official say the man ’s death from botulism still has to be confirm through lab testing , but they ’re already warning nursing home - canning enthusiast to abide cognisant and practice safe conservation techniques espoused by the CDC and others . “ Using proper canning techniques , the proper kind of equipment , and disposing of any canned foods that may not have been properly preserved is the near mode to keep your rest home canned goods safe , ” they state .

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