2024-09-12 18:45:26
it’s botulism. The National Reference Center (CNR) of the Pasteur Institute has confirmed the presence of bacteria in the wild garlic pesto of the O Ptits Oignons brand consumed by five people in Indre-et-Loire, reported the Ministry of Health , Wednesday September 12.
The analyzes carried out on patients, who are currently hospitalized in the intensive care and continuous monitoring unit (USC) in the Centre-Val de Loire region, have also been scientifically confirmed by the detection of botulism in four of the patients these five, while the analyzes regarding the fifth cases are ongoing. The Department of Civil Protection, responsible for ensuring consumer safety, is continuing its investigations in order to identify the buyers of the pots of pesto in question, explained the ministry.
Catherine Sorita-Minard, the Tours prosecutor, confirmed on Thursday the opening ofa criminal investigation assigned to the interdepartmental direction of the national police and to the direction of the Department of Population Protection (food security service) for ” accidental injuries due to carelessness, negligence or failure to comply with the duty of safety or precaution prescribed by law or regulation. “.
A rare and serious neurological condition
On Tuesday during a press conference at the hospital center of the regional university (CHRU) of Tours, the administrator of Indre-et-Loire Patrice Latron announced that “Two couples (have) presented themselves to the emergency room on Saturday”followed by a fifth person on Sunday after having participated in the same “birthday meal”. “On the basis of convergent indices”health authorities suspect cases of botulism linked to the ingestion of wild garlic pesto, produced in Touraine, according to the prefect.
People who eat the product and show symptoms suggestive of botulism should contact their doctor immediately or on the 15th day, health authorities reminded on Wednesday. It is recommended that these people keep the product in a safe place for analysis purposes. If not, the product must be thrown away immediately, without opening. Together, “We are looking for 600 coins” throughout France, the prefect estimated on Tuesday.
Botulism is a rare and serious neurological condition, fatal in 5% to 10% of cases, caused by a very strong toxin produced by a bacterium which grows mainly in preserved foods. is inappropriate due to lack of sufficient sterilization.
It causes eye problems (double vision), difficulty moving and, in advanced forms, paralysis of the muscles, especially the respiratory muscles, which can lead to death. As of September 2023, sixteen clients, including one woman who died, have been identified as “Suspected cases of botulism” after eating home-canned sardines at a tourist restaurant in central Bordeaux.
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