Over 20 Cases of Botulism with one death from Food at Church Potluck

One death and 23cases of botulism are being reported after the individuals ate at a church potluck in Lancaster. Ohio.

Antitoxin has been administered to the victims, which can reduce severity of the illness. 

The food has not yet been identified.

Botulism is the disease caused when the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum is ingested.   The toxin is produced by the organism as it grows in a food. Generally we do not see many cases of this deadly disease, but it can be a risk when certain foods are not properly prepared. 

• Improperly processed low acid canned foods like green beans that are not properly pressure canned and then those cans are stored on the shelf..  
• Heated foods likes soups and stews when those foods are not properly cooled or are stored at the elevated temperatures (not refrigerated).
• Vacuum packaged cooked foods that are not stored at the right temperature.

 Clostridium botulinum is a spore-forming organism, and these spores can survive normal cooking.  If conditions are right, then the spores germinate and the organism grows in the food.  Conditions include a notorious food, warm to high temperatures, non-acidic pH, and low oxygen level.

The toxin is a neurotoxin and stops vital functions including breathing.

 

Columbus Dispatch

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/04/21/botulism-lancaster.html

Botulism death tied to Lancaster church potluck

 

Wednesday April 22, 2015 9:33 AM 

 

One person has died and at least 20 others were hospitalized as of late last night with suspected botulism that health officials are linking to a potluck on Sunday at a Lancaster church.

 

Fifteen Postal Workers Ill from Potluck Leftovers

Potlucks are one thing, but leftovers from potlucks.....  In this case, 15 postal workers become ill after consuming leftovers from a potluck dinner held for 200 to honor veterans. 

What was the issue?  While the news reports are light on information, we can make a pretty good guess.  First, no one got sick from the initial offering, but rather it was the nightshift workers who became ill after consuming the leftovers.  The symptoms of vomiting and nausea were noted and it occurred about 6 hours or so after their shift began.  The short duration from consumption to onset of the illness  in conjunction with the symptoms of vomiting and nausea would indicate a Staphylococcus aureus intoxication.  If that is the case, we could guess that some of the leftovers were not properly refrigerated.

USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/13/sickened-postal-facility-employees-food-poisoning/18969757/

15 hospitalized after suspected food poisoning

CHARLOTTE — Fifteen people were taken to hospitals Thursday morning after becoming sick at a U.S. Postal facility in west Mecklenburg County, N.C.