Human botulism in Canada (1919-1973)

Since 1919, in Canada, 62 authenticated outbreaks of human botulism have affected 181 persons, with 83 deaths, a fatality rate of 46%. Among these, 41 outbreaks were bacteriologically determined (31 in one laboratory) as six type A, four type B, one both A and B, and 30 type E. About two thirds of t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Medical Association journal 1974-01, Vol.110 (2), p.191-200
Main Author: Dolman, C E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Botulinum Antitoxin - therapeutic use
Botulism - diagnosis
Botulism - drug therapy
Botulism - epidemiology
Botulism - etiology
Botulism - mortality
Canada
Caniformia
Feeding Behavior
Female
Fish Products
Food Microbiology
Food Preservation
Foodborne Diseases
Humans
Indians, North American
Inuits
Male
Meat
Medical Practice: Review
Salmonidae
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Summary:Since 1919, in Canada, 62 authenticated outbreaks of human botulism have affected 181 persons, with 83 deaths, a fatality rate of 46%. Among these, 41 outbreaks were bacteriologically determined (31 in one laboratory) as six type A, four type B, one both A and B, and 30 type E. About two thirds of the total outbreaks, cases and deaths involved Eskimos and Pacific coast Indians consuming raw marine mammal products and salmon eggs, respectively. Other parts of Canada recorded seven occurrences due to miscellaneous vehicles, three being type B. Since January 1961 there have been 38 outbreaks, involving 94 cases with 33 deaths. These include 18 outbreaks among Eskimos, affecting 51 persons (of whom 24 died) in Labrador, southern Baffin Island, northern Quebec, and the Mackenzie area. Also, putrid salmon eggs caused 15 outbreaks among Pacific coast Indians, totalling 35 cases, of whom only six died, the low fatality rate reflecting the introduction of type E botulinus antitoxin during 1961.
ISSN:0008-4409