RSOE EDIS: USA - Epidemic Hazard - 2010.04.03

RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service Budapest, Hungary RSOE EDIS ALERTMAIL

2010-04-03 03:26:23 - Epidemic Hazard - USA EDIS CODE: EH-20100403-25570-USA Date & Time: 2010-04-03 03:26:23 [UTC] Area: USA, State of Alaska, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Center, Bethel Number of Infected person(s): 1 Not confirmed information! Description: A patient sick with botulism was flown out of a Southwest Alaska village earlier this week for treatment at Bethel's Yukon Kuskokwim Health Center. Botulism, which is more common in Alaska than anywhere else in the country, is a paralytic, potentially fatal illness caused by botulinum toxin. Traditional Native foods have caused every case of the disease in Alaska, according to the state Division of Public Health Web site. In 2008 Alaska saw seven cases of the disease, six of them in Southwest Alaska. In 2007 there were 10 cases, nine of them in the Southwest region, even though only about 6 percent of the state's population lives there. "Our botulism almost exclusively is related to traditionally prepared foods in Alaska Native peoples," state epidemiologist Beth Funk said. The most recent botulism patient was treated with antitoxin and kept under observation. The disease's source is currently under investigation; a YKHC spokesperson said food items including seal oil are being tested for the disease. When a botulism case springs up in the Lower 48, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ship antitoxin to the state so providers can treat the patient. Alaska is unique in that the antitoxin is prepositioned in hub cities so it's immediately ready for use, Funk said. Although small doses of botulinum toxin are used in cosmetic procedures (under the brand name Botox) and to treat muscle spasms, botulism can be fatal. The U.S. sees about 110 cases of botulism every year, although in the last 50 years the fatality rate has dropped from half to about 8 percent, according to the CDC. Symptoms include blurry vision, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. If the patient doesn't get the antitoxin, the body and respiratory system can become paralyzed. That patient can need the use of a ventilator for weeks, and in Alaska, that means the patient has to be brought to Anchorage. The name of Hazard: Botulism Species: Human Status: Confirmed Posted:2010-04-03 03:26:23 [UTC] Please DO NOT reply to this message: replies may be treated as errors and result in your subscription being deleted. If you have trouble or other queries, send email to havaria@rsoe.hu RSOE EDIS is operated by the National Association of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications (RSOE), Budapest, Hungary. Because of the complexity of this system and its dependence on other systems, we cannot be responsible for delays or failures in forwarding or transmission. You're receiving this AlertMail because you subscribed for the service. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. Contact: havaria@rsoe.hu