KNOW all about Botulism outbreak that killed French woman, hospitalised several in Bordeaux

In the French city of Bordeaux, a severe outbreak of botulism claimed the life of a French woman while several Irish individuals, as many as 12, are undergoing treatment. This city is currently one of the hosts for the Rugby World Cup. The outbreak has been linked to a wine bar in Bordeaux, with sardines pinpointed as the specific culprit. This neurological illness typically happens by eating food that has been improperly preserved. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is urgently advising anyone who consumed sardines at the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar, located at 3 Rue Emile Duploye, 33000 Bordeaux, between Monday, September 4th, and Sunday, September 10th, and who is feeling unwell, to seek immediate medical attention. The HSE has confirmed that a small number of Irish citizens have fallen ill and are currently receiving appropriate medical care in France. Dr. Greg Martin, the director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), stressed the importance of the specific timeframe involved. He stated, “It is crucial to note that this guidance applies solely to individuals who dined on sardines at the mentioned establishment during the specified period. There are no other circumstances in which a person could be affected by this incident.” Botulism, a condition caused by toxins produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, is a severe and potentially life-threatening ailment. Symptoms encompass blurred vision, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, and sometimes even diarrhea and vomiting. This disease can lead to vision impairments and paralysis. Notably, botulism is a reportable disease in Ireland and carries a fatality rate ranging from 5% to 10% of cases. The HPSC was alerted to this outbreak by French authorities on September 12th, with additional details about the restaurant emerging on September 13th.