Health officials in Ohio say the Belmont Correctional Institution is dealing with botulism.
Belmont County officials confirmed the situation but that is the extent of their knowledge because the Correctional Institution is a state institution and the state is handling the issue. not the county.
7News has contacted prison officials and the Ohio Department of Health and is currently waiting for a response.
The CDC says botulism is a rare but serious illness that is caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves causing difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis, and even death.
There are 5 main kinds of botulism: food, wound, infant, iatrogenic,and Adult intestinal toxemia
Foodborne botulism can happen by eating foods that have been contaminated with botulinum toxin. Common sources of foodborne botulism are homemade foods that have been improperly canned, preserved, or fermented. Though uncommon, store-bought foods also can be contaminated with botulinum toxin.
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