Key Points

Epidemiological Characteristics of Human Botulism in Metropolitan France from 2018 to 2024

• Surveillance of human botulism cases is based on mandatory reports (MRs) received by Santé publique France and supplemented by data from the National Reference Center (NRC) for Botulism at the Pasteur Institute.

• From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2024, 74 outbreaks were reported in mainland France, totaling 122 cases (including 107 hospitalized cases and 1 death).

• During the study period, a few outbreaks accounted for a large number of cases: an outbreak resulting from the consumption of homemade canned sardines at a restaurant, an outbreak resulting from the consumption of contaminated homemade pesto, and an outbreak caused by illegal botulinum toxin injections administered by a cosmetologist.