**Botulism Contamination Extended and Short Messages**

**Health and Safety Information for the First Hours**

**Table of Contents**

[**Botulism Contamination Extended Message**
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[**Botulism Contamination Short Message**
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**Grade Level: 9.5**

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc161817427 .anchor}**Botulism Contamination
Extended Message**

**Health and Safety Information for the First Hours**

**POINTS:**

1.  What is happening?

2.  What is botulism?

3.  What are the symptoms of botulism?

4.  What to do if you have the symptoms of botulism

5.  How is botulism treated?

6.  What to do if you are concerned about botulism

7.  What is being done and how to get more information

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***What is happening?***

-   This is an urgent health message from the U.S. Department of Health
    and Human Services (HHS). Please pay careful attention to this
    message to protect your health and that of others.

-   Public health officials have reported *xxx number* cases of botulism
    in *xxx area*.

-   At this time, we do not know the extent or source of the botulism
    contamination.

-   Local, state, and federal officials, including HHS, FBI, and
    Homeland Security, are working together. Updated announcements will
    be made as soon as these officials know more.

-   Botulism is a rare muscle-paralyzing disease caused by a nerve toxin
    (poison) produced by bacteria. This disease requires treatment
    within 24 hours.

-   Although rare, people can get sick from naturally occurring botulism
    after consuming contaminated food or drinks. Botulism does not
    spread from person to person.

-   In the current situation, public health officials are concerned
    because of the unusually high number of cases. We are also concerned
    because we don't know yet how these people were exposed to the
    toxin.

-   We have challenges ahead, and we are working to find out more about
    this outbreak. By staying informed and following instructions from
    health officials, you can protect yourself, your family, and the
    community against this public health threat.

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-   For more information on botulism, visit the HHS Web site at
    [http:www.hhs.gov](http://www.hhs.gov/), the Centers for Disease
    Control and Prevention's (CDC) botulism page at
    <http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/botulism/#general>, or call the CDC
    Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO for the latest information.

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-   This message contains additional information that can help protect
    your health and the health of others.

***What is botulism?***

-   Botulism is caused by a toxin made by the bacterium *Clostridium
    botulinum*, which occurs naturally in soil. The toxin restricts a
    person's movement and breathing by affecting the nervous system.

-   The toxin is extremely strong and a small amount can make a person
    very sick.

-   About 110 cases of naturally occurring botulism are reported each
    year in the United States and are usually caused by consuming
    improperly preserved home-canned foods or beverages.

-   Although difficult, botulism could also be deliberately spread
    through the air,

-   Botulism is not spread from person to person. You cannot get it from
    breathing the same air as a sick person or from coughing or
    sneezing. Therefore, people are not in danger of catching botulism
    from each other.

***What are the symptoms of botulism?***

-   Symptoms of botulism include unexplained trouble seeing (double or
    blurred vision), drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth,
    slurred speech, and muscle weakness.

-   Symptoms usually appear within 12 to 36 hours after exposure but can
    take as long as several days to begin.

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-   If left untreated, botulism can also lead to paralysis, leaving a
    person unable to move certain muscles, including those that control
    breathing and movement of arms, legs, and upper body.

***What to do if you have symptoms of botulism***

-   If you have symptoms of botulism, get medical attention as soon as
    possible and within 24 hours of the start of your symptoms.

-   Go to the emergency room or immediately call your doctor or local
    public health department at *xxx-xxx-xxxx* for instructions on where
    to get treatment. Getting treatment quickly will increase your
    chances of recovery.

***How is botulism treated?***

-   Getting medical attention as soon as possible and within 24 hours of
    the start of symptoms increase your chances of recovery.

-   Botulism is treated with a medicine called an "antitoxin." This is
    the only specific treatment for this condition, in addition to
    intensive medical support. Antitoxin can prevent the symptoms from
    getting worse, but it cannot cure the illness.

-   Recovery from botulism can take weeks or months. If the disease
    paralyzes muscles involved in breathing, a respirator help the
    patient breathe during recovery.

***What to do if you are concerned about botulism***

-   It is natural to be concerned or afraid at a time like this. Staying
    informed and following instructions from public health officials
    will help you stay as safe and healthy as possible.

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-   If you start to show symptoms, get medical care immediately.

-   To avoid getting sick, stay away from the area where officials
    believe the toxin was released.

-   Stay informed by turning to the radio, television, or Internet news
    for updated health and safety announcements.

-   Since we don't know the source of the botulism toxin at this time,
    follow these safe food handling practices:

1.  Avoid eating foods that may have a strange color, smell, or taste.

2.  Boil all liquids, including water and milk, for 5 minutes to destroy
    the botulism toxin.

3.  Cook foods thoroughly for at least 10 minutes to an internal
    temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check this with a
    food thermometer.

4.  On surfaces where food is placed, botulism toxin can be destroyed
    with household bleach mixed with water. Use 1 part bleach to every
    10 parts water. For example, if you use 10 cups of water, use 1 cup
    of bleach.

***What is being done and how to get more information***

-   Federal, state, and local officials are working together to find and
    treat people who have symptoms or may have had contact with the
    botulism toxin. They are also taking actions to prevent others from
    being exposed.

-   Public health officials will share information and give more
    instructions as the situation develops and they learn more.

-   Go to \[[insert local media information here]{.underline}\] to hear
    the latest information from local officials.

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-   For more information on botulism, visit the HHS Web site at
    [http:www.hhs.gov](http://www.hhs.gov/), the Centers for Disease
    Control and Prevention's (CDC) botulism page at
    <http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/botulism/#general>, or call the CDC
    Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO for the latest information.

**Grade Level: 9.5**

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc161817428 .anchor}**Botulism Contamination Short
Message**

**Health and Safety Information for the First Hours**

-   This is an urgent health message from the U.S. Department of Health
    and Human Services (HHS).

-   Public health officials have reported *xxx number* cases of botulism
    in *xxx area*.

-   At this time, we do not know the extent or source of the botulism
    contamination.

-   Local, state and federal officials, including HHS, FBI, and Homeland
    Security, are working together. Updated announcements will be made
    as soon as these officials know more.

-   Botulism is a serious disease caused by a toxin that attacks the
    nervous system. People get botulism by consuming contaminated foods
    or drinks.

-   In this situation, public health officials are concerned because of
    the unusually high number of cases. We are also concerned because we
    don't know yet how these people were exposed to the toxin.

-   Watch for these symptoms: droopy eyelids, blurry vision, slurred
    speech, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, and difficulty
    moving. If you have these symptoms, call your doctor or local health
    department at *xxx-xxx-xxxx* as soon as possible.

-   These symptoms can appear from 6 hours to 2 weeks after exposure.

-   Botulism does not spread from person to person; therefore, people
    who are sick do not need to be isolated.

-   To be on the safe side, heat all foods to 185 degrees for at least
    10 minutes and boil all liquids.

-   We have challenges ahead, and we are working to find out more about
    this outbreak. By staying informed and following instructions from
    health officials, you can protect yourself, your family, and the
    community against this public health threat.

-   Go to \[[insert local media information here]{.underline}\] to hear
    the latest information from local officials.

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-   For more information on botulism, visit the HHS Web site at
    [http:www.hhs.gov](http://www.hhs.gov/), the Centers for Disease
    Control and Prevention's (CDC) botulism page at
    <http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/botulism/#general>, or call the CDC
    Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO for the latest information.