BOTULISM AND MUSHROOM POISONING KILL 3 THIS YEAR

ARMENPRESS
Aug 09 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 9, ARMENPRESS: Twenty-two cases of a rare disease
known as botulism were registered in Armenia this year, killing one and
causing a great deal of suffering to 34 others, including 4 children
below the age of 16.

Botulism usually occurs after eating improperly cooked or preserved
foods. The botulism bacteria release a poison, also called a toxin,
which travels through the blood to attach to the nerves that control
your muscles.

Botulism cases in Armenia occur usually in winter when many families
start eating home-made preserves, despite the health ministry’s warning
against using such food or its instructions to at least thorough cook
such food by boiling it for ten minutes to destroy the botulism toxin
Also 28 cases of mushroom poisoning were registered this year killing
two people and affecting 46 others.