Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Botulism,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on February 9, 2026
A patient has been diagnosed with botulism in Cascade County, Montana. Leaving City-County Health Department officials looking for a source.
What is botulism and how does someone get it? How do you know if you have botulism and what should you do if you begin to experience symptoms?
Here’s what we know so far about botulism in Cascade County!
City-County Health Department officials are investigating a confirmed case of botulism in Cascade County.
The patient, presenting symptoms of botulinum toxin poisoning was hospitalized and receiving treatment for their illness. Patient samples were confirmed by federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) laboratory.
During the course of the investigation, multiple “foods of concern” were identified in the patient’s home. These “foods of concern” were tested for the presence of Clostridium botulinum and botulism toxin.
So far, all foods tested by the CDC have come back negative. Meaning, no pathogens have been found in those food samples. Additional foods are being assessed and more testing is underway.
The results of those tests are not yet available to the public.
The source of the patient’s illness has not yet been identified. However, City-County Health Department Investigators are working on other potential avenues.
Botulism is the illness associated with consuming food contaminated with botulinum toxin. It is a rare but serious illness where the toxin attacks the nervous system (more specifically the nerves) resulting in a type of temporary paralysis.
Spore-forming bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum produce this botulinum toxin. Further complicating matters because when in spore form, the germ is very hardy. it can grow in low or no oxygen environments. Even survive heat treatment.
So, how does someone get botulism?
Most of the time, people get botulism by eating food contaminated with the harmful germ.
Common sources of botulism exposure include:
Botulism is not contagious. It is not spread from person to person like many other foodborne illnesses. Oftentimes, botulism outbreaks involve a group of people eating a common contaminated food item.
Early diagnosis of foodborne botulism is quite difficult. Oftentimes, symptoms can sometimes initially present as dehydration. It isn’t until more serious symptoms begin to come on board that clinical diagnosis and appropriate laboratory testing take place. This is often when diagnoses are made.
Unfortunately, that is when things become more serious and life-threatening.
For this reason, anti-toxin medication is often given before test results are returned. Time is of the essence when it comes to botulism.
So, how do you know if you have botulism?
It is a slow progression.
Symptoms of foodborne botulism begin with mild to serious paralysis. It starts with the head and then moves down to the arms and legs. Resulting in weakness or paralysis. Respiratory problems occur when paralysis reaches the diaphragm and intercostal muscle. Patients with these symptoms often need mechanical intubation.
Other symptoms may include:
Prompt treatment results in a more favorable outcome.
Individuals with symptoms consistent with botulism should immediately seek medical attention. Go the emergency department of a hospital. Without early intervention treatment, the patient may die.
Botulism symptoms should be taken very seriously. If you suspect you or a family member have botulism, there are a few things you can do to help.
First, get medical help right away. Botulism infections can be fatal if not treated quickly. If you or a family member begin experiencing botulism symptoms, do not hesitate.
Get medical help right away!
If you have recently experienced botulism symptoms, it is a good idea to make a list of the foods and drinks you have consumed. Make this list as complete and accurate as possible. Include where you obtained the food, where you ate it, and all details you can remember. The sooner you are able to make this list, the more complete it will likely be.
If possible, retain a portion of the product by carefully bagging it up and clearly labeling so that it is no longer consumed. This product could be useful for traceback investigation purposes. Otherwise, document the lot information for the product that was consumed. This information is also helpful.
You should also get advice from a food poisoning lawyer. A food poisoning lawyer understands product contamination and product liability cases and can help you through this difficult process. They can help you get the information you need, answer questions you have about the process, and even answer questions you may not have thought of yet.
The experienced Food Poisoning Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC are dedicated to holding food companies accountable for lapses in food safety that result in illness or injury. Our lawyers can gather evidence and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. They will represent you in court, should you need to do so and fight for your rights and ensure you get what you deserve.
They have recovered millions of dollars in product liability and food poisoning cases and they can help you too!
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free, no obligation consultation. Or fill out the online submission form, and someone will get back with you right away to go over the details of your situation.
Many aspects of a food poisoning legal claim require a fast timeline. Reach out as soon as you feel well enough to do so.
Don’t wait! Call today!
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Botulism in Cascade County Has Investigators Looking for a Source,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)