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.