The botulinum toxin is extremely potent. It causes a respiratory paralysis and the victim suffers from asphyxia. Gas gangrene is the disease most commonly associated with Clostridium perfringens . The disease botulism may be familiar as a hazard of eating improperly canned and undercooked foods. Botulism is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridim botulinum .
Botulism toxin is one of the most toxic substances known.
It acts by inhibiting nerve impulses and produces progressive paralysis often leading to death if untreated. A terrorist might sabotage a food or water supply with botulism toxin, but a toxic cloud is a much more likely route of delivery in biological warfare. There are seven types of botulism toxin, but all produce similar symptoms. Symptoms may begin about 24-36 hours after exposure, but symptoms may be delayed up to several days if the toxin is inhaled instead of ingested. Symptoms are characterized with a progressive paralysis from the head down with the victim remaining otherwise mentally alert and awake.