Two outbreaks of botulism associated with consumption of green olive paste, France, September 2011

J M Pingeon; C Vanbockstael; M R Popoff; L A King; B Deschamps; G Pradel; H Dupont; A Spanjaard; A Houdard; C Mazuet; B Belaizi; S Bourgeois; S Lemgueres; K Debbat; P Courant; R Quirin; P Malfait

doi:10.2807/ese.16.49.20035-en

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Two outbreaks of botulism associated with consumption of green olive paste, France, September 2011
J M Pingeon¹ , C Vanbockstael² , M R Popoff³ , L A King⁴ , B Deschamps⁵ , G Pradel⁶ , H Dupont⁷ , A Spanjaard⁶ , A Houdard⁸ , C Mazuet³ , B Belaizi⁹ , S Bourgeois⁶ , S Lemgueres⁶ , K Debbat⁶ , P Courant⁶ , R Quirin⁵ , P Malfait¹⁰
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Affiliations: ¹ Regional Health Agency of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Avignon, France ² Regional office of the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (Institut de Veille Sanitaire, InVS), Lille, France ³ National Reference Centre for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France ⁴ French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (Institut de Veille Sanitaire, InVS), Saint Maurice, France ⁵ District Veterinary Services, Avignon, France ⁶ Avignon Hospital, Avignon, France ⁷ Amiens Hospital, Amiens, France ⁸ Regional Health Agency of Picardy, Amiens, France ⁹ District Veterinary Services, Amiens, France ¹⁰ Regional office of the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (Institut de Veille Sanitaire, InVS), Marseille, France

Correspondence:
P Malfait
Philippe.MALFAIT ars.sante.fr
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Citation style for this article: Pingeon J M, Vanbockstael C, Popoff M R, King L A, Deschamps B, Pradel G, Dupont H, Spanjaard A, Houdard A, Mazuet C, Belaizi B, Bourgeois S, Lemgueres S, Debbat K, Courant P, Quirin R, Malfait P. Two outbreaks of botulism associated with consumption of green olive paste, France, September 2011. Euro Surveill. 2011;16(49):pii=20035. https://doi.org/10.2807/ese.16.49.20035-en Received: 30 Nov 2011

Abstract

Two family outbreaks of botulism (a total of nine cases) were identified in south-east and northern France in early September 2011. The source of infection was considered to be a ground green olive paste. Botulinum type A toxin was identified in seven cases and in the incriminated olive paste. Incorrect sterilisation techniques were observed at the artisanal producer's workshop. These episodes highlight the potential public health threat of Clostridium botulinum linked to inadequate sterilisation of food products. .