Botulism (Deliberate Releases)

The anaerobic spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum produces neurotoxins which block the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction resulting in flaccid paralysis. Neurotoxin types A, B, E or F (rarely) can cause  illness in human.

This page provides links to clinical information and guidance for health professionals dealing with cases of botulism arising as a result of a deliberate release. The information may also be relevant to accidental release incidents or naturally occurring outbreaks.

A deliberate release may involve airborne dissemination of toxin, producing botulism through inhalation. Alternatively, it may involve contamination of food or water supplies either with toxin or with C. botulinum.

There are three naturally occurring forms of illness:

• food-borne botulism - caused by ingestion of pre-formed toxin
• wound botulism - caused by growth of bacterium and production of toxin in traumatic wound
• intestinal colonisation botulism (usually in infants) - caused by production of toxin in vivo