HHS and the World Health Organization Rush Botulism Antitoxin to Thailand

March 20, 2006 – Responding to an urgent request from the Thai Ministry of Public Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) dispatched Dr. Chris Braden from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with 50 vials of botulism antitoxin (an antidote to botulism) from the Strategic National Stockpile to assist with an outbreak of botulism.

Upon his arrival in Thailand on Monday, March 20, Dr. Braden traveled with the Thai Minister of Health, Phinij Jarusombat, and the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Public Health, Prat Boonyawongvirot, to the affected Nan Province in northern Thailand.  Local doctors administered all 50 vials of the antidote.  The World Health Organization over the weekend had provided 20 vials of antidote that were also administered.

Although botulism can kill up to 60 percent of patients, no deaths have been reported to date among the people possibly exposed to the toxin.  Currently 152 people are in local hospitals and 41 people are on respirators.  Intensive testing is underway of locally produced foods served at a festival on March 14, which all the exposed people attended.

To build future laboratory capacity in Thailand, a Thai laboratory scientist will likely travel to Atlanta to participate in specimen testing at CDC that involves techniques not currently available in Thailand.

For more information:

• Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Botulism  (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Last revised: November 09, 2007