California Botulism Outbreak Linked To Gas Station Nacho Cheese

At least one person has died and nine others have been sickened as part of a botulism outbreak in California, which federal and state health officials have linked to prepared foods and processed nacho cheese sold at a gas station in Sacramento. 

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released a warning to the public on May 22, confirming that laboratory testing has found the presence of a toxin known to cause Botulism in certain products served at the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station in Walnut Grove, California.

In early May, the CDPH received notice of five individuals hospitalized for botulism treatment, and a sixth report was being investigated to confirm the infection. The CDPH and the Sacramento County Department of Environmental Management collaborated efforts to identify the source of the outbreak by conducting interviews with the sickened patients.

By May 5, officials identified that all patients had consumed nacho cheese sauce at the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station in Walnut Grove, Sacramento, California, and mandated the establishment to halt the sale of prepared food until the source could be identified.

The CDPHs latest update on the outbreak on May 22, confirmed the nacho cheese sauce in circulation, and four other bags in inventory tested positive for the toxin that causes botulism and were identified as the same genetic makeups as samples collected from those sickened in the hospital who reported consuming the nacho cheese at the establishment.

The CDPH has released a warning to both the public and to healthcare professionals in the surrounding area to be aware of Botulism symptoms. Customers of the Valley Oak Food and Fuel gas station that consumed prepared foods, specifically, nacho cheese products should consult with your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any symptoms.

The CDPH and local health departments have notified health care providers to be aware of patients entering the hospital with symptoms of double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness, which are all symptoms of Botulism.

Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that causes muscle paralysis, and can result in blurred or double vision, difficulty swallowing and breathing, dizziness, nausea, slurred speech and weakness. When the toxin enters the body, it binds to nerve endings, blocking signals which leads to paralysis. Symptoms of botulism usually appear within 12 to 36 hours after exposure, but problems could develop in as little as two hours in some cases.

The illness is treatable by medical professionals through the use of antitoxin injections and breathing assistance, and should be treated immediately to prevent worsened symptoms that can become fatal. If treated right away, the illness typically resolves within days to weeks following medical intervention.