A severe botulism outbreak across several Russian regions has left one person dead and over 300 hospitalized, according to authorities.
Botulism, a rare but serious illness, is caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This foodborne illness can lead to paralysis, breathing difficulties, and, in severe cases, death. Common sources of contamination include improperly canned, preserved, or fermented foods.
Typical symptoms of botulism include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing or speaking, and neurological issues.
The current outbreak has resulted in the hospitalization of more than 300 individuals across Russia. For comparison, the United States records an average of 110 botulism cases annually, while the European Union reported only 82 cases in 2021, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
Russian officials have traced the outbreak to ready-to-eat salads containing canned beans, produced by a popular delivery service. Since mid-June, cases have been reported in Moscow, the surrounding Moscow region, Nizhny Novgorod, and Kazan.
As of Monday, an aide to Russia’s Health Minister Alexei Kuznetsov reported that 369 individuals had been hospitalized with botulism symptoms. Of these, 218 remain in the hospital, with 38 on ventilators, while 151 have been discharged.
Tragically, a 21-year-old man from Kostroma died after contracting botulism. Local officials reported that he had traveled to Nizhny Novgorod, approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) southeast of Kostroma, and consumed the contaminated salad there.
Health officials initially linked the outbreak to two brands of ready-made salads. Following the first reports of poisoning, Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s public health agency, halted sales of these salads pending investigation. Authorities soon identified one salad, produced and sold by the delivery service Kukhnya Na Rayone, as the source of the outbreak. Kukhnya Na Rayone operates in several cities including Moscow, Kazan, and Nizhny Novgorod.
Kukhnya Na Rayone has since suspended its operations, issued an online statement announcing the discontinuation of the implicated salad, and committed to reviewing its other products.
A criminal investigation is underway, focusing on the production and distribution of products in violation of safety standards. Authorities have detained two top managers of Kukhnya Na Rayone, the head of the company that produced the canned beans, and a cook. The cook has been placed in custody pending investigation and trial, while the other three individuals are under house arrest.
