There has been an outbreak of botulism in Turkey, which may have been caused by a weight loss procedure
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An outbreak of botulinum toxin poisoning has been reported in Turkey among people undergoing a medical procedure to lose weight. All botulism patients received an injection of botulinum toxin type A into the stomach wall between February 22 and March 1, 2023, according to a report from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). At least 60 cases of the disease are associated with visits to a private hospital in Istanbul, and another three to a medical facility in Izmir, writes Science Alert. Currently, 67 cases of botulism have been registered in Europe: 53 of them in Turkey, 12 in Germany, and one each in Austria and Switzerland. No deaths have been recorded so far, but some of the patients were hospitalized in intensive care units. Read also: Can of tomatoes can be dangerous: how to prevent botulism? Tips from the Central Hospital Photo: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/GettyImages Botulism is a paralytic disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which multiplies in an oxygen-free environment. In mild cases, poisoning can cause splitting or clouding of the eyes, slurred speech, nausea or diarrhea. More severe poisoning can lead to respiratory arrest, which leads to death in 5-10% of cases. Botulinum toxin type A (popularly called “Botox”) is a drug of biological origin, which is usually associated with cosmetic procedures against wrinkles. It is also used in the treatment of various diseases, such as hyperhidrosis. In the early 2000s, after a series of studies, injections of BTX-A into the stomach wall began to be used to slow down digestion and prolong satiety. More and more clinics around the world offer this procedure under the name “stomach botox” or “stomach botox”. However, “stomach botox” can be dangerous, since the correct dose of the drug is difficult to calculate. Even in the hands of a qualified doctor, Botox drugs pose a significant risk to the patient’s health if they are unlicensed or fake. Photo: alfexe/Depositphotos Turkish authorities say the drugs used for the treatment were licensed but not approved for use in the procedure. Currently, two clinics are under investigation and their work has been suspended. The ECDC urges anyone who has traveled to Istanbul or Izmir for “stomach botox” to see a doctor – especially if they have symptoms such as general weakness, difficulty breathing or swallowing. Patients affected by the paralyzing toxin may take months to fully recover. “An outbreak of botulism caused by counterfeit BTX-A in Egypt in 2017 hospitalized at least five people. Even after treatment with antitoxins, patients took up to 12 weeks to fully recover,” the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said. . Read also: How to lose weight quickly: 3 simple steps confirmed by science
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