Dozens sickened with rare deadly bacteria in California after eating contaminated home-cooked food READ MORE: Food safety expert's urgent warning over storing your condiments By Emily Joshu Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com Published: 10:38 EDT, 28 June 2024 | Updated: 11:08 EDT, 28 June 2024 e-mail 5 View comments Health officials in California are sounding the alarm over an outbreak of a rare, deadly bacteria that had contaminated home-cooked food. At two events on June 21 and 22 outside of Fresno, roughly 30 members of the same family were exposed to botulism, a rare food-borne pathogen that attacks the body's nerves .
Eight people have been hospitalized, but officials haven't specified how many of the exposed were sickened. Authorities also did not reveal the specific foods that were involved, but urged the family to not eat any more of the contaminated products. Now, the California Department of Public Health and the CDC have said they are working together on an investigation.
Roughly 30 members of the same family outside of Fresno, California, were exposed to rare but deadly botulism from contaminated home-cooked food Botulism is caused by a toxin released by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which is normally found in spores in soil, marine areas, and on the surface of foods like fruits, vegetables, and seafood. These bacteria make spores, which act like protective coatings, which are usually harmless. However, warm and wet tight spaces lacking oxygen - such as metal.