AUTHOR=Marlow Mariel , Edwards Leslie , McCrickard Lindsey , Francois Watkins Louise K. , Anderson Jannifer , Hand Sheryl , Taylor Kathryn , Dykes Janet , Byers Paul , Chatham-Stephens Kevin TITLE=Mild Botulism From Illicitly Brewed Alcohol in a Large Prison Outbreak in Mississippi JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=9 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.716615 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2021.716615 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=

Botulism is typically described as a rapidly progressing, severe neuroparalytic disease. Foodborne botulism is transmitted through consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with botulinum toxin. During a botulism outbreak linked to illicitly brewed alcohol (also known as “hooch” or “pruno”) in a prison, 11 (35%) of 31 inmates that consumed contaminated hooch had mild illnesses. This includes 2 inmates with laboratory confirmed botulism. The most frequently reported signs and symptoms among the 11 patients with mild illness included dry mouth (91%), hoarse voice (91%), difficulty swallowing (82%), fatigue (82%), and abdominal pain (82%). Foodborne botulism is likely underdiagnosed and underreported in patients with mild illness. Botulism should be considered on the differential diagnosis for patients with cranial nerve palsies.