One person is dead and at least 21 others are hospitalized after a suspected botulism outbreak at a Lancaster church.
The illness spread after a tainted potluck dinner was served to churchgoers at the Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Lancaster on Sunday, April 19. Approximately 50 to 60 people are thought to the consumed the potluck dinner, including 10 children.
A 54-year-old woman who consumed the food died on Tuesday. Health officials say the victim was too ill to receive antibiotics.
Out of the 21 people hospitalized, the Ohio Department of Health is monitoring 18 of those for suspected botulism cases.
In response to the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control has sent an anti-toxin and the Ohio Department of Health will distribute it to infected patients.
The Fairfield County Medical Center says it's contacted everyone who attended the potluck, but what the hospital is trying to figure out is what made them sick. The answer may be contained in a church dumpster.
Officials suspect improperly home-canned foods are the likely cause of the outbreak, however they are working to determine the exact cause.
Officials encourage anyone who may have consumed the tainted food to seek immediate medical attention. Those with questions about the outbreak can call 740-687-8053. Symptoms usually appear within 10 days of consuming the tainted food.
Botulism symptoms can include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness. Deaths are rare, and only occur in around 3 – 5% of cases.
Botulism is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person-to-person. The illness is rare and people who did not attend the church potluck are not at risk.
FAMILIES IMPACTED
Christopher Timmons is a self-described “momma’s boy” and says she means the world to him.
His mother, 77-year old Janet Timmons, is one of 18-patients hospitalized with a suspected case of botulism. His mother is on a ventilator and receiving the anti-toxin.
Timmons says it's hard to imagine how so many people got so sick so quickly. ”I was really scared,” he says. “I felt bad for everybody; it’s so rare.”
He says several family members ate at the potluck celebration at Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday. He says his cousin is also hospitalized, and everyone is heartbroken for the family of a 54-year old woman who died Monday.
Over the phone, Timmons say his mother’s speech is slurred. She has complained about drooping eyelids, but is in good spirits. Her son prays all of the patients will make a full recovery.
