Further cases of botulism linked to the consumption of canned sardines in a French restaurant in Bordeaux (southwest) may yet be reported as not all customers have been identified, the WHO said on Wednesday.
• Also read: Canned sardines cause about ten cases of botulism, including one death
According to the report published Friday by French health authorities, a total of 15 customers at the contaminated restaurant were identified as “suspected cases of botulism,” including one fatality.
According to a World Health Organization information bulletin, fourteen of the 15 reported cases are foreign nationals of American, Canadian, Irish, Greek, British and German nationality.
What all these people have in common is that between September 4th and 10th in Bordeaux, where the first two matches of the 2023 World Cup took place last weekend, they ate homemade canned sardines at the same restaurant, the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar. Rugby (Ireland). -Romania and Wales-Fiji).
According to the WHO, the French investigation, based on credit card receipts, found that about 25 people “were exposed (i.e. they probably consumed the suspect food).”
“Given the incubation period of botulism, which can last up to eight days, and the fact that, despite all efforts, not all customers of the Bordeaux restaurant have been identified, additional cases related to this event may arise,” in France or abroad , states the WHO.
In France, an investigation into “homicide and bodily harm” was opened on Friday by the Bordeaux public prosecutor’s office. It also concerns acts of “placing harmful foods on the market” and “selling spoiled or poisonous foods”.
Botulism is a rare and serious neurological disease, fatal in 5 to 10% of cases, caused by a very strong toxin produced by a bacterium that develops due to lack of sterilization, particularly in poorly preserved foods.
It causes eye problems (double vision), difficulty swallowing and, in advanced forms, paralysis of the muscles, particularly the respiratory muscles, which can lead to death.