Fact sheets

Botulism fact sheet (PDF 197KB)

Public Health action

• Control of Communicable Diseases Manual 

• OD 0103/08 Public Health Intervention for Sporadic Enteric Notifications  

Notifiable disease data and reports

• Up-to-date Botulism notification data

• General infectious disease reports

Case definition

 Only confirmed cases should be notified.

Confirmed case

A confirmed case requires laboratory definitive evidence AND clinical evidence.

Laboratory definitive evidence

1. Isolation of Clostridium botulinum
OR

2. Detection of Clostridium botulinum toxin in blood or faeces

Clinical evidence

A clinically compatible illness (e.g. diplopia, blurred vision, muscle weakness, paralysis, death).