Volume 10, Number 9—September 2004
Dispatch
Botulism Type E Outbreak Associated with Eating a Beached Whale, Alaska
Table
Signs and symptoms of eight case-patients from a botulism outbreak associated with eating a beached whale, western Alaska, July 2002
| Sequelae | No. (%) |
|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal symptoms | |
| Abdominal pain | 5 (63) |
| Constipation | 5 (63) |
| Diarrhea | 4 (50) |
| Nausea or vomiting | 7 (88) |
| Neurologic symptoms | |
| Blurred vision | 5 (63) |
| Diplopia | 1 (13) |
| Dry mouth | 7 (88) |
| Dysphagia | 6 (75) |
| Dysarthria | 4 (50) |
| Shortness of breath | 5 (63) |
| Other symptoms | |
| Throat pain | 3 (38) |
| Dizziness | 6 (75) |
| Neurologic signs | |
| Hoarse voice | 5 (63) |
| Ptosis | 2 (25) |
| Pupils fixed and dilated | 5 (63) |
| Urinary retention | 1 (13) |
| Weakness | 8 (100) |
| Other signs | |
| Bradycardiaa | 4 (50) |
| Hypotensionb | 6 (75) |
aHeart rate <60 beats per minute.
bSystolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg.
