Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Illness can occur through eating food contaminated with the toxin, infection of an open wound, or particularly in babies, ingestion of spores that form toxins in the intestine. The treatment for botulism is an anti-toxin medication that neutralizes the toxin.
Local Information
2023 Statistics
Incidence rate is the number of new cases of disease divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease during a particular time period.
Cases:
0*
*Includes confirmed cases in 2023.
Incidence rate per 100,000 in 2023: 0
Incidence rate per 100,000 of Botulism by year
Data Sources |
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More Information about Botulism |
Reporting |
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Report to the Health Unit immediately by phone at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 if botulism is suspected or confirmed as per Ontario Regulation 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O., c.H.7. |
Should one go to childcare, school, or work if they have botulism? |
| No exclusion necessary as people exposed to botulism are not contagious. |
Healthcare Provider Information |
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Public Health Ontario: Botulism Ministry of Health: Botulism Guide for Healthcare Professionals Public Health Agency of Canada for Health Professionals: Botulism Public Health Agency of Canada: Botulism - Guide for Healthcare Professionals |
Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.
Last updated: August 2024, by CDC