|
Botulism in Washington
State
During the last 10 years, the Washington State Department
of Health has received 0–2
reports of foodborne botulism per year, 0–6 reports of
intestinal botulism per year and 0–7 reports of wound
botulism per year. Recent
foodborne botulism cases in Washington have been associated
with improperly home-canned vegetables. Wound botulism is
most frequently associated with injection drug use,
particularly black tar heroin.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To assist in the diagnosis of
potential cases and facilitate prompt administration of
either antitoxin or botulism immune globulin when indicated.
- For foodborne botulism, to
identify contaminated food(s) and to prevent further
exposures.
- For foodborne botulism, to
identify and assure the proper evaluation and care of other
persons who may be at immediate risk of illness because they
have already eaten the implicated food.
- For wound botulism, to alert
others at risk regarding the importance of promptly
identifying illness and obtaining medical care.
Legal Reporting Requirements
-
Health care providers: immediately notifiable to local health jurisdiction.
-
Hospitals: immediately notifiable to
local health jurisdiction.
-
Laboratories: immediately notifiable
to local health jurisdiction. Specimen submission is
required.
-
Local health jurisdictions:
suspected and confirmed cases are immediately notifiable to
the Washington State Department of Health Communicable
Disease Epidemiology Section (1-877-539-4344).
Last
update
September 2007 |
|
