LANCASTER – A number of patients presented Tuesday to the Fairfield Medical Center Emergency Department exhibiting symptoms of botulism. One person, a 54-year old woman, has died. The hospital is working with local community partners, including the Emergency Management Agency, and regional healthcare contacts for support.
At a news conference Wednesday, medical center officials said the suspect food was home canned.
Botulism is a rare paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin. It is not contagious, so there is no threat to the community at-large, or current patients and visitors at FMC. Currently, the patients exhibiting symptoms were all in attendance at a potluck on Sunday, April 19 at the Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Lancaster.
Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids and difficulty swallowing. Symptoms usually start within 18-36 hours after consuming contaminated food, but can occur up to 10 days post-ingestion.
If you were at this event and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please go to the nearest emergency department.
