Botulism suspected
PA Rotorua Two Rotorua sisters are critically ill in the inten-sive-care unit at Rotorua Hospital with suspected botulism. The medical superintendent of Rotorua Hospital, Dr K. F. Greene, said the two women were admitted last week with partial paralysis and sjTnptoms that suggested botulism or a brain infection — meningitis, or a stroke. Their names have not been given, but it is believed one woman is in her mid to late 40s and the other in her late 50s. Tests on food samples and blood speciments from the two women are being done by staff at the National
Health Institute in Wellington. The director of the institute, Dr R. K. Logan, said yesterday he was not aware of any case of botulism in New Zealand. Botulism is a rare form of food poisoning which causes paralysis in the muscles. It is particularly dangerous when it spreads to the respiratory muscles. Other symptoms include blurred vision and dizziness. The Medical Officer of Health at Rotorua, Dr A. Millar, said the disease was not contagious. The two women had been eating home-bottled mussels and watercress. Botulism is suspected because fish is particularly vulnerable to botulism spores.
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Press, 29 February 1984, Page 9
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195Botulism suspected Press, 29 February 1984, Page 9
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