Resources & Publications
Related Pages
Case Definition
Surveillance
- National Botulism Surveillance
- Nationally Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS): Botulism
- National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS)
Botulism Manual
For more information on Clostridium botulinum outbreaks reported to CDC:
- Go to NORS Dashboard.
- Set your search parameters, being sure to select “Clostridium” as the etiology.
- At the bottom of the page, select “Download current search data.”
- Sort by “Genus Species” or select the arrow next to that heading to select only “Clostridium botulinum.”
Podcast

Botulism: Countering Common Clinical Misperceptionsexternal iconexternal icon
April 1, 2013 Dr. Agam Rao discusses how to recognize and treat botulism and addresses common clinical misperceptions about the illness.
Read the transcript pdf icon[PDF – 3 pages]
Publications
“Botulism,” a CDC-sponsored supplement to Clinical Infectious Diseases

Topics include:
- Clinical characteristics
- Systematic reviews of literature on botulism among pregnant women and children
- Safety, effectiveness, and allergic profile of antitoxin
- Outbreak investigations
- Case reports describing uncommon clinical features
Citation: Sobel J, Rao A. Making the best of the evidence: towards national clinical guidelines for botulism. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27;66(Suppl_1):1–3. DOIexternal icon
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Rao AK, Lin NH, Jackson KA, Mody RK, Griffin PM. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27; 66(Suppl 1): p. S4–S10. - Clinical Features of Foodborne and Wound Botulism: A Systematic Review of the Literature, 1932–2015. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Chatham-Stephens K, Fleck-Derderian S, Johnson SD, Sobel J, Rao AK, Meaney-Delman D. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27; 66 (Suppl 1): p. S11–S16. - Pediatric Botulism and Use of Equine Botulinum Antitoxin in Children: A Systematic Review. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Griese SE, Kisselburgh HM, Bartenfeld MT, Thomas E, Rao AK, Sobel J, Dziuban EJ. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27; 66(Suppl 1): p. S17–S29. - Botulism During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Badell ML, Rimawi BH, Rao AK, Jamieson DJ, Rasmussen S, Meaney-Delman D. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27; 66(Suppl 1): p. S30–S37. - Botulism mortality in the United States, 1975–2009. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
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Gupta A, Sumner CJ, Castor M, Maslanka S, Sobel J. Neurology. 2005 Dec 13; 65(11): p. 1694–700. - Botulism. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
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Fleck-Derderian S, Shankar M, Rao AK, Chatham-Stephens K, Adjei S, Sobel J, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27; 66 (Suppl 1): p. S73–S81.
Botulism linked to improperly home-canned, fermented, or preserved foods, including traditional Alaska Native foods
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Ganapathiraju PV, Gharpure R, Thomas D, Millet N, Gurrieri D, Chatham-Stephens K, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 Nov; 68(44): p. 1008–09. - Botulism outbreak associated with home-canned peas—New York City, 2018. MMWR PubMedexternal icon
Bergeron G, Latash J, Dacosta-Carter CA, Egan C, Stavinsky F, Kileci JA, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 Mar; 68(10): p. 251–52. - Large outbreak of botulism associated with a church potluck meal—Ohio, 2015. MMWR PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
McCarty CL, Angelo K, Beer KD, Cibulskas-White K, Quinn K, de Fijter S, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015 Jul 31; 64(29): p. 802–3. - Regional variations in home canning practices and the risk of foodborne botulism in the Republic of Georgia, 2003. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Tarkhashvili N, Chokheli M, Chubinidze M, Abazashvili N, Chakvetadze N, Imnadze P, et al. J Food Prot. 2015 Apr; 78(4): p. 746–50. - Botulism associated with home-fermented tofu in two Chinese immigrants—New York City, March–April 2012. MMWR PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
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McLaughlin JB, Sobel J, Lynn T, Funk E, Middaugh JP. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Sep; 10(9): p. 1685–7. - Botulism among Alaska natives in the Bristol Bay area of southwest Alaska: a survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to fermented foods known to cause botulism. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Chiou LA, Hennessy TW, Horn A, Carter G, Butler JC. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2002 Feb; 61(1): p. 50–60. - Foodborne botulism from eating home-pickled eggs—Illinois, 1997. MMWR PubMedexternal icon
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Botulism linked to pruno, a type of homemade alcohol
- Notes from the field: botulism outbreak from drinking prison-made illicit alcohol in a federal correctional facility—Mississippi, June 2016. MMWR PubMedexternal icon
McCrickard L, Marlow M, Self JL, Watkins LF, Chatham-Stephens K, Anderson J, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017 Jan 6; 65(52): p. 1491–2. - A qualitative inquiry about pruno, an illicit alcoholic beverage linked to botulism outbreaks in United States prisons. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Walters MS, Sreenivasan N, Person B, Shew M, Wheeler D, Hall J, et al. Am J Public Health. 2015 Nov; 105(11): p. 2256–61. - Alcohol production, prevention strategies, and inmate knowledge about the risk for botulism from pruno consumption in a correctional facility—Arizona, 2013. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Adams LE, Yasmin S, Briggs G, Redden K, Silvas S, Anderson S, et al. J Correct Health Care. 2015 Oct; 21(4): p. 335–42. - Notes from the field: botulism from drinking prison-made illicit alcohol—Arizona, 2012. MMWR PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Briggs G, Anderson S, Komatsu K, Weiss J, Henke E, Tsang CA, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2013 Feb 8; 62(5): p. 88. - Botulism from drinking prison-made illicit alcohol—Utah, 2011. MMWR PubMedexternal icon
Thurston D, Risk I, Hill MB, Vitek D, Bogdanow L, Robertson J, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012 Oct 5; 61(39): p. 782–4. - Botulism from drinking pruno. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Vugia DJ, Mase SR, Cole B, Stiles J, Rosenberg J, Velasquez L, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2009 Jan; 15(1): p. 69–71.
Botulism linked to other foods
- Notes from the field: botulism caused by consumption of commercially produced potato soups stored improperly—Ohio and Georgia, 2011. MMWR PubMedexternal icon
Seaman MP, Sulka AC, Tobin-D’Angelo M, Blass MA, Mills RL, Carmean J, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011 Jul 8; 60(26): p. 890. - International outbreak of severe botulism with prolonged toxemia caused by commercial carrot juice. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Sheth AN, Wiersma P, Atrubin D, Dubey V, Zink D, Skinner G, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Nov 15; 47(10): p. 1245–51. - Botulism associated with commercially canned chili sauce—Texas and Indiana. MMWR PubMedexternal icon
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Shuler C, Drenzek C, Lance S, Gonzalez G, Miller J, Tobin-D’Angelo M, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006 Oct 13; 55(40): p. 1098–9. - An outbreak of foodborne botulism associated with food sold at a salvage store in Texas. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Kalluri P, Crowe C, Reller M, Gaul L, Hayslett J, Barth S, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Dec 1; 37(11): p. 1490–5. - A large outbreak of botulism: the hazardous baked potato. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
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Other foodborne botulism
- Foodborne botulism in the United States, 1999–2000. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Sobel J, Tucker N, McLaughlin J, Maslanka S. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Sep; 10(9): p. 1606–11. - Foodborne botulism in the Republic of Georgia. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Varma JK, Katsitadze G, Moiscrafishvili M, Zardiashvili T, Chikheli M, Tarkashvili N, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2004 Sept; 10(9): p. 1601–5. - Signs and symptoms predictive of death in patients with foodborne botulism—Republic of Georgia, 1980–2002. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Varma JK, Katsitadze G, Moiscrafishvili M, Zardiashvili T, Chokheli M, Tarkhashvili N, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Aug 1; 39(3): p. 357–62.
- Botulism in Alaska: A Guide for Physicians and Health Care Providers. CDC Stacks PDF pdf icon[32 pages]external icon
Castrodale LJ (ed.). State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. 2011. - Endemic foodborne botulism among Alaska Native persons—Alaska, 1947–2007. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Fagan RP, McLaughlin JB, Castrodale LJ, Gessner BD, Jenkerson SA, Funk EA, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 Mar 1; 52(5): p. 585–92. - Botulism among Alaska Natives in the Bristol Bay area of southwest Alaska: a survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to fermented foods known to cause botulism. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Chiou LA, Hennessy TW, Horn A, Carter G, Butler JC. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2002 Feb; 61(1): p. 50–60. - Botulism among Alaska Natives. The role of changing food preparation and consumption practices. PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
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- Equine botulinum antitoxin for the treatment of infant botulism. DOIexternal icon PubMed↗external icon PMCexternal icon
Vanella de Cuetos EE, Fernandez RA, Bianco MI, Sartori OJ, Piovano ML, Lúquez C, de Jong LI. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2011 Nov; 18(11): p. 1845–9. - Clostridial infections: botulism and infant botulism. In: The Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. PDF pdf icon[32 pages]external icon
Arnon SS, Barzilay EJ. Editors: Pickering LK, Baker CJ, Kimberlin DW, Long SS. Elk Grove Village (IL): American Academy of Pediatrics; 2009. p. 259–62. - Intestinal botulism formerly infant botulism. In: Control of Communicable Disease Manual. 19th ed. APHAexternal icon
Barzilay E, Schlundt J, Toyofuku H. Editor: Heymann DL. Washington, D.C.: American Public Health Association. 2008. p. 79–87. - Global occurrence of infant botulism, 1976–2006. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Koepke R, Sobel J, Arnon S. Pediatrics. 2008 Jul; 122(1): p. 72–82. - Human botulism immune globulin for the treatment of infant botulism. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Arnon SS, Schechter R, Maslanka SE, Jewell NP, Hatheway CL. N Engl J Med. 2006 Feb 2; 354(5): p. 462–71. - Foodborne botulism in a six-month-old infant caused by home-canned baby food. DOIexternal icon PubMed↗external icon
Armada M, Love S, Barrett E, Monroe J, Peery D, Sobel J. Ann Emerg Med. 2003 Aug; 42(2): p. 226–9. - Infant botulism—New York City, 2001–2002. MMWR PubMedexternal icon
Reddy V, Balter S, Weiss D, Layton M, Kornstein L, Friberg I, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003 Jan 17; 52(2): p. 21–4. - Risk of infant botulism from corn syrup. Ovidexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Olsen SJ, Swerdlow DL. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2000 Jun; 19(6): p. 584–5.
- Notes from the field: Botulism Type B after intravenous methamphetamine use – New Jersey, 2020. MMWR PubMedexternal icon
Waltenburg MA, Larson VA, Naor EH, Webster TG, Dykes J, Foltz V, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020 Oct; 69(39): p. 1425–26. - Recurrent wound botulism among injection drug users in California. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Yuan J, Inami G, Mohle-Boetani J, Vugia DJ. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 Apr 1; 52(7): p. 862–6. - Wound botulism acquired in the Amazonian rain forest of Ecuador. PDF - 4 pagespdf iconexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
Reller ME, Douce RW, Maslanka SE, Torres DS, Manock SR, Sobel J. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2006 Apr; 74(4): p. 628–31. - Wound botulism among black tar heroin users—Washington, 2003. MMWR DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
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- Efficacy of Antitoxin Therapy in Treating Patients With Foodborne Botulism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cases, 1923–2016. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
O'Horo JC, Harper EP, El Rafei A, Ali R, DeSimone DC, Sakusic A, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27; 66 (Suppl 1): p. S43–S56. - Safety and Improved Clinical Outcomes in Patients Treated With New Equine-Derived Heptavalent Botulinum Antitoxin. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Yu PA, Lin NH, Mahon BE, Sobel J, Yu Y, Mody RK, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27; 66 (Suppl 1): p. S57–S64. - Allergic Reactions to Botulinum Antitoxin: A Systematic Review. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon PMCexternal icon
Schussler E, Sobel J, Hsu J, Yu P, Meaney-Delman D, Grammer LC 3rd, Nowak-Wegrzyn A. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 27; 66 (Suppl 1): p. S65–S72. - The eyes have it. DOIexternal icon PubMedexternal icon
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