What are public health agencies doing to prevent or control botulism?
Public education about botulism prevention is an ongoing activity. Information about safe canning is widely available for consumers. State health departments and CDC have persons knowledgeable about botulism available to consult with physicians 24 hours a day. If antitoxin is needed to treat a patient, it can be quickly delivered to a physician anywhere in the country. Suspected outbreaks of botulism are quickly investigated, and if they involve a commercial product, the appropriate control measures are coordinated among public health and regulatory agencies. Physicians should report suspected cases of botulism to county or state health departments. For information and guidelines on canning foods at home visit the USDA Home Canning Guide at http://foodsafety.cas.psu.edu/canningguide.
