04/29/25 Public Health Education Topic: Botulism

Per CDC:

Key points

• Botulism is a rare but serious illness.

• It is caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.

• The toxin is made by Clostridium botulinum and related bacteria.

• There are five main kinds of botulism. All are medical emergencies.

There are 5 main kinds of botulism.

Foodborne botulism

Foodborne botulism can happen by eating foods that have been contaminated with botulinum toxin. Common sources of foodborne botulism are homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved, or fermented. Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin.

Wound botulism

Wound botulism can happen if the spores get into a wound and make a toxin. People who inject illicit drugs have a greater chance of getting wound botulism. People who have had a traumatic injury, such as a motorcycle crash, or surgery also can get wound botulism.

Infant botulism

For reasons we do not understand, some infants get botulism when the spores get into their intestines, grow, and produce the toxin.

Iatrogenic botulism

Iatrogenic botulism can happen if too much botulinum toxin is injected for cosmetic reasons, such as for wrinkles. It also can happen if too much of the toxin is injected for medical reasons, such as for migraine headaches.

Adult intestinal toxemia

Adult intestinal toxemia is also known as adult intestinal colonization. This kind of botulism is a very rare. It can happen if the spores of the bacteria get into an adult's intestines, grow, and produce the toxin (similar to infant botulism). We don't know why people get this kind of botulism. People with a serious health condition affecting the gut might be more likely to get ill.

To learn more visit: About Botulism | Botulism | CDC