2023-09-20 16:51:11
More cases of botulism linked to the consumption of canned sardines at a French restaurant in Bordeaux might still be reported as not all customers have yet been identified, the WHO said on Wednesday.
A total of 15 customers of the incriminated restaurant were identified as “suspected cases of botulism“, including one fatality, according to the results of the French health authorities published Friday.
Fourteen of these 15 reported cases are foreign nationals, of American, Canadian, Irish, Greek, British and German nationality, according to a World Health Organization information bulletin.
All these people have in common the fact that they ate homemade canned sardines in the same restaurant, the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar, between September 4 and 10 in Bordeaux, which last weekend hosted the first two matches of the 2023 World Cup. rugby (Ireland-Romania and Wales-Fiji).
According to the WHO, the French investigation made it possible to determine through credit card receipts that approximately 25 people “were exposed (i.e. probably consumed the suspect food)“.
“Given the incubation period of botulism, which can be up to eight days, and the fact that not all customers of the Bordeaux restaurant have been identified despite efforts, other cases linked to this event might still occur“, in France or abroad, indicates the WHO.
In France, a preliminary investigation for “homicide and involuntary injuries” was opened on Friday by the Bordeaux public prosecutor’s office. It also concerns acts of “placing on the market foodstuffs harmful to health” and “sale of corrupted or toxic foodstuffs”.
Botulism is a rare and serious neurological condition, fatal in 5 to 10% of cases, caused by a very powerful toxin, produced by a bacteria which develops particularly in poorly preserved foods due to lack of sufficient sterilization.
It causes eye problems (double vision), difficulty swallowing and, in advanced forms, paralysis of the muscles, particularly respiratory muscles, which can lead to death.
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