North Dakota baby hospitalized with botulism

The rare disease affects children under the age of one and its symptoms, such as reduced movement, progressive weakness, and constipation, among others, usually develop between three and 30 days after consuming the bacterial spores.

The bacteria create a toxin in the intestine which leads to disease. The toxin causes muscle paralysis and, if left untreated, botulism can lead to respiratory failure and death.

The North Dakota child is recovering at home after being treated and hospitalized, according to the health department. The last report on infant botulism in North Dakota was in 2018, the department said.

Bacterial spores that lead to infant botulism can be found in soil and dust and in some cases honey. The North Dakota child had a history of consuming honey before developing the disease, but it is not known if honey was the cause, state epidemiologist Laura Cronquist said.

“Although most infants with botulism have likely ingested dust or dirt particles containing spores, honey can contain botulism spores and is not safe to feed children under 12 months of age,” Cronquist said in a statement.

The Department of Health recommends seeing a health care provider immediately if a child has symptoms of infant botulism.