In June, Reuters reported on an outbreak that happened four years ago in El Paso, Texas, when a Greek restaurant served foil-wrapped baked potatoes that apparently had been kept at room temperature for several days. Thirty people became ill and four required a ventilator. All 34 people had eaten a potato from that particular restaurant. Mixon said symptoms of botulism include double and blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, breathing and speaking, and muscle weakness. If not properly treated quickly, the person can experience paralysis and eventually die due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
Illness can last up to six days.
People who survive this kind of food borne poisoning may suffer fatigue and shortness of breath for years, and long-term therapy may be needed for the victim to fully recover. Recommendations on this web site do not endorse any commercial products or trade names.