Botulism Outbreak Linked to Cactus Salad, Two Sisters Affected 

Botulism Outbreak Linked to Cactus Salad, Two Sisters Affected. Credit | Shutterstock
Botulism Outbreak Linked to Cactus Salad, Two Sisters Affected. Credit | Shutterstock

United States: Two sisters in California are still in the ICU after eating a cactus salad that made them very sick. Fox 26 News says that on June 24, the Fresno County Department of Health found out about this rare illness called botulism when ten people were hospitalized in Clovis and Selma.  

Most Patients Have Recovered, Sisters Still in the Hospital 

They all got sick with symptoms like dizziness and blurry vision after eating the same cactus salad at two family parties. Most of the people got better and went home after getting medicine, but the two sisters are still being treated in the hospital. 

Botulism is a really very rare condition that is caused by bacteria that attack nerves in the body and can cause symptoms like trouble swallowing and speaking, blurred vision, facial weakness and having trouble breathing, nausea, and paralysis, per the Mayo Clinic, and it can be fatal in rare cases. 

Botulism Outbreak Linked to Cactus Salad, Two Sisters Affected. Credit | Shutterstock
Botulism Outbreak Linked to Cactus Salad, Two Sisters Affected. Credit | Shutterstock

There are also ten people in Fresno County, Calif and had attended family events on the Friday and on June 21 and Saturday and June 22 ABC 30 actions News reported . They had all the eaten cactus salad and known as “ nopales.”  

As mentioned by Esme MazzeoFoodborne botulism is often caused by home-canning, because the bacteria that causes the condition thrive in environments with little oxygen, according to May. 

Home-Canned Cactus Salad Linked to the Outbreak 

Although the cactus in the salad was originally thought to be frozen, officials learned that the woman who prepared the salad used home-canned cactus she had prepared in May, Norma Sanchez, Communicable Disease Specialist with FCDH said per Fox 26. 

Health Experts Urge Caution with Home-Canning 

“Home canning is done all the time, but we want people to be careful,” said Dr. Vohra, per Fox 26. “The risk is real and unfortunately we found botulism can happen with these home-canned cactus pads known as nopales.” 

Fox 26 reported that officials think the woman who prepared the salad didn’t use enough salt to sterilize her environment in the canning process. 

“This is a great opportunity to teach the community,” Dr. Vohra, per Fox 26. 

Sisters’ Condition and Hope for Recovery 

In the statement, the doctor also gave an update on the sisters’ conditions, which KVPR reported. 

“They require ventilation with machine support just because their muscles and nerves are affected so severely,” Dr. Vohra said. She’s hoping that the treatment will eventually lead to a full recovery.