The information collected so far by the ECDC indicates that all of them have undergone medical interventions intended to make them lose weight. According to them, 60 patients had been received by a private hospital in Istanbul while three others were received by a private hospital in Izmir.
Their symptoms ranged from mild to severe. A few patients had to be hospitalized. Some of them were admitted to intensive care units and received treatment with botulinum antitoxin.
ECDC encourages people who traveled between February 22 and March 1 to Istanbul and Izmir for gastric BoNT inoculation to seek medical advice. Especially if they feel weak, have difficulty breathing and/or swallowing.
The institution strongly advises European citizens against this type of therapy offered in Turkey. She thinks the risk is too high. However, she cannot yet determine the cause of the problem.
After investigations, the Turkish authorities revealed that the BoNT products administered to the 67 patients were not suitable for gastric injections against obesity. Consequently, the competent departments of the two incriminated hospitals have been suspended from all activity. Investigations have been launched to determine the responsibilities of each.
Botulism is a serious and rare neuroparalytic disease. If healed, full recovery usually takes weeks to months.