Five people hospitalized for suspected botulism

Cans of wild garlic pesto potentially linked to cases of botulism were sold on the weekend of September 7 and 8 at a festival by a local producer. “So far, no problems have been reported,” assures Cyrille Brayé-Lécureuil, director of the Château de la Bourdaisière. Five adults from the same family were poisoned after consuming this pesto and are hospitalized in Tours (Indre-et-Loire).

These are probable cases of botulism, a food poisoning caused by a bacteria that secretes powerful toxins. Symptoms generally appear between 12 and 72 hours after consumption of the contaminated food. The Regional Health Agency calls for the greatest vigilance. In the event of symptoms (vision problems, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, difficulty speaking), people who have consumed this food are advised to consult a doctor. Botulism can be fatal in 5% to 10% of cases.