An infant in Lewis County was recently confirmed to have contracted botulism from a brand of baby formula linked to an outbreak of the condition.
Early in November, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a small but ongoing outbreak of botulism among infants in the United States. On Friday, the CDC updated its findings, reporting 23 cases of botulism in infants across the U.S., including one case in Washington state — Lewis County, to be more precise.
Botulism is a rare condition caused by a toxin producing bacteria. It is a neurotoxin that attacks the body's nervous system. It is very serious and can be lethal.
The announcement from the CDC on Friday stated that all of the 23 children diagnosed with botulism had been hospitalized but none had died.
Lewis County Public Health and Social Services Director Meja Handlen confirmed Monday afternoon that the case in Washington state had been reported within Lewis County and that no deaths had been reported. Handlen added that the department is not able to release any further details about the age or location of the child.
According to Handlen, the case is the only one reported so far in Lewis County.
According to the CDC, the nationwide botulism outbreak has affected children in more than 10 different states but no more than three cases have been reported in a single state. An announcement from the CDC suggests the agency currently suspects that the outbreak is coming from the ByHeart While Nutrition infant formula.
The agency is currently investigating to see if the formula brand's product could be contaminated with the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which creates the toxin that causes botulism.
The Washington state Department of Health is advising parents to immediately stop using ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula.
According to The News Tribune, the Food and Drug Administration recalled all lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Formula on Tuesday, which includes 24 ounce cans and 0.6 ounce single-serving packets.
“If you have the formula, take a picture of it, then record the lot number and best by date, the CDC advises,” The News Tribune reported. “This is so the state health department can test the formula if your baby exhibits signs of the illness. If a month passes and no symptoms show, you can toss it.”
