Mass. health officials identify source to recent Botox-related botulism cases
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Mass. health officials identify source of recent Botox-related botulism cases
As of Saturday, 10 cases of suspected iatrogenic botulism are under investigation. The cases are linked to cosmetic botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, injections. The DPH said anyone who received Botox injections at Rodrigo Beauty between May 1 and June 4 this year is strongly urged to contact the DPH at 617-983-6800 or their local board of health immediately, even if they are not currently experiencing symptoms. It is not yet clear whether there are any other sources related to the recent botulISM cases. The symptoms can include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has identified a source associated with multiple recent cases of botulism.
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As of Saturday, 10 cases of suspected iatrogenic botulism are under investigation, all associated with injections performed at Rodrigo Beauty, located at 464 Granite Ave. in Milton, Massachusetts, the DPH said.
The cases are linked to cosmetic botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, injections, which are widely used for cosmetic purposes to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
“While generally safe when administered by trained professionals, improper dosing, administration technique, or use of non-FDA-approved products may increase the risk of systemic botulism symptoms,” the DPH said.
The DPH said iatrogenic botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by botulinum toxin spreading beyond the injection site, potentially leading to life-threatening symptoms.
Initial botulism symptoms can include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. These symptoms could be followed by a descending, symmetric muscle weakness that progresses over hours to days.
The DPH said anyone who received Botox injections at Rodrigo Beauty between May 1 and June 4 this year is strongly urged to contact the DPH at 617-983-6800 or their local board of health immediately, even if they are not currently experiencing symptoms.
It is not yet clear whether there are any other sources related to the recent botulism cases.
Mass. health officials investigate botulism cases tied to cosmetic injections
The cases are linked to cosmetic botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, injections. Botulism symptoms can include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has not said if they have traced the cases to a source, whether the cases are related, or any info about patients in the cases. Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms should immediately go to the emergency room, the DPH said. The DPH is investigating four cases of suspected botulism on the South Shore of Massachusetts, according to an advisory from the Mass DPH’s advisory. The cases are being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, the advisory said.
Four cases of suspected botulism linked to cosmetic injections are being investigated on the South Shore, according to an advisory from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
The cases are linked to cosmetic botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, injections, which are widely used for cosmetic purposes to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
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“While generally safe when administered by trained professionals, improper dosing, administration technique, or use of non-FDA-approved products may increase the risk of systemic botulism symptoms,” the Mass DPH’s advisory said.
Botulism is a rare, and sometimes fatal, disease caused by botulinum toxin.
Initial botulism symptoms can include double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and difficulty breathing. These symptoms could be followed by a descending, symmetric muscle weakness that progresses over hours to days.
“This is very rare,” South Shore Hospital infectious disease specialist Dr. Todd Ellerin said. “We call it iatrogenic botulism, which means you get it as a complication of an injection. It is very rare.”
The DPH has not said if they have traced the cases to a source, whether the cases are related, or any info about patients in the cases.
Ellerin said there could be a variety of causes.
“For some reason, if the person gets too much, the injection is too concentrated with the toxin, or somehow it’s not an FDA-approved type of batch, it’s on the black market — if this gets into the systemic circulation, then you can have a real problem,” Ellerin said.
Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms should immediately go to the emergency room.
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