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Bioterrorism Agents >
Botulism
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Fact Sheets and Overviews
• Video: "The History of Bioterrorism"
Describes the role of Category A agents—such as botulism—as weapons of bioterrorism
• Facts About Botulism
 Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (163 KB/2 pages)
• Basic Q&A About Botulism
From the Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, NCID, CDC
• Technical Information about Botulism
From the Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, NCID, CDC
• Handbook: Botulism in the United States 1899-1996
Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (505 MB/43 pages)
Epidemiology, clinical & laboratory diagnosis, treatment.
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Foodborne Infections
FAQs and technical info

Infection Control
• Recognition of Illness Associated with the Intentional Release of a Biologic Agent
MMWR 2001 Oct 19;50(41):893-897.
 Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (168 KB/20 pages)
• Bioterrorism Readiness Plan: A Template for Healthcare Facilities Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (1.5 MB/34 pages)
See Section II: Agent-Specific Recommendations, Botulism; pages 16-18.

Laboratory Testing
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Sentinel Laboratory Guidelines for Suspected Agents of Bioterrorism: Botulinum Toxin Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (150 KB/4 pages)
NOTE: Protocols for sentinel laboratories are no longer posted on the CDC website. The American Society for Microbiology has agreed to take the lead in the development & dissemination of sentinel laboratory information. Information for reference laboratories will continue to be available on the Laboratory Response Network secure website (for questions, e-mail lrn@cdc.gov; tollfree HelpDesk 1-866-LRN-LABS [1-866-576-5227]). The CDC subject matter experts on individual organisms remain available for discussion as always.
• Packaging Protocols for Biological Agents/Diseases Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (61 KB/5 pages)
• Recognition of Illness Associated with the Intentional Release of a Biologic Agent
MMWR 2001 Oct 19;50(41):893-897.
Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (168 KB/20 pages)
• Botulinum Toxin as a Biological Weapon: Medical and Public Health Management
JAMA 2001;285(8):1059-1070.
Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (415 KB/13 pages)

Surveillance and Investigation
• Notice to Readers: New Telephone Number to Report Botulism Cases and Request Antitoxin
MMWR 2003 Aug 15;52(32);774-774.
Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (291 KB/24 pages)
• Endemic, Notifiable Bioterrorism-Related Diseases, United States, 1992–1999
Emerging Infectious Diseases 2003 May;9(5):556-564.
Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (291 KB/9 pages)
• Surveillance for Outbreaks of Botulism
Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (375 KB/11 pages) 
Summary of 2001 Data
• Use of Automated Ambulatory-Care Encounter Records for Detection of Acute Illness Clusters, Including Potential Bioterrorism Events
Emerging Infectious Diseases 2002 Aug;8(8):753-760.
Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (383 KB/8 pages)
• Recognition of Illness Associated with the Intentional Release of a Biologic Agent
MMWR 2001 Oct 19;50(41):893-897.
Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF (168 KB/20 pages)
• Botulism Surveillance Case Definitions

References
• Wound Botulism - California, 1995
MMWR December 8, 1995 / Vol. 44 / No. 48
• Foodborne Botulism - Oklahoma, 1994
MMWR March 24, 1995 / Vol. 44 / No. 11
• Shapiro RL, Hatheway C, Becher J, Swerdlow DL. Botulism surveillance and emergency response: a public health strategy for a global challenge. JAMA 1997; 278: 433-5.
• Angulo FJ, Getz J, Taylor JP, et al. A large outbreak of botulism: the hazardous baked potato. J Infect Dis; 178: 172-7.
• Angulo FJ, St. Louis ME. Botulism. In: Evans AS, Brachman PS, eds. Bacterial Infections of Humans. New York: Plenum, 1998:131-53.
• Shapiro RL, Hatheway C, Swerdlow DL. Botulism in the United States: A clinical and epidemiologic review. Ann Intern Med 1998;129:221-8.

CDC HOTLINES

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Related Resources
• Emerging Infectious Diseases
• MMWR
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