What We Do
Foodborne infectious diseases, such as botulism, pose a health risk to the population. Indeed, this form of food poisoning can lead to neurological complications that are sometimes severe. In this context, Santé publique France’s focus is on the epidemiological surveillance of this disease in collaboration with the National Reference Center (CNR) for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism (Institut Pasteur, Paris). Preventing the disease is also a key public health priority for Santé publique France: recommending best practices for home canning and the preparation of homemade deli meats, and advising against giving honey to infants to prevent infant botulism.
Epidemiological surveillance of botulism
Botulism, a Notifiable Disease
Human botulism is included on the list of notifiable diseases. Any clinical suspicion of botulism must be reported immediately to the Regional Health Agency (ARS). This reporting enables rapid epidemiological and veterinary investigations to be conducted with the aim of preventing further cases through the implementation of appropriate control and prevention measures.
Since 1998, Santé publique France has been working in collaboration with the National Reference Center for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism, which participates in the surveillance of human botulism by immediately reporting confirmed cases.
Tools for Mandatory Reporting
Botulism has been a reportable disease since 1986. Mandatory reporting of botulism involves collecting information on all cases from laboratory technicians and physicians. It involves two successive procedures: reporting and notification.
Physicians and laboratory professionals who suspect or diagnose a case of botulism must report it without delay and by any appropriate means (phone, email) to the physician at the Regional Health Agency (ARS) in their area of practice.
The report allows the ARS physician to implement preventive measures around the cases and, if necessary, initiate investigations to identify the source of contamination and take action to reduce it.
Notification occurs after the report and often after confirmation of the diagnosis. Reporting physicians or laboratory scientists notify the ARS physician in their area of practice using a specific mandatory botulism reporting form. Notification enables the analysis and monitoring of botulism trends within the population to better target prevention and control efforts.
Definitions of reportable and notifiable cases
| Reported cases | Type of notification form | Notified cases | Reporting and notification criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical cases | Simple and downloadable | Clinical cases |
Clinical diagnosis of botulism Note: The same notification form can be used to report both isolated and clustered cases. |
Notification Form
Informing the public about the reporting of notifiable diseases
Surveillance Partners
Regional Health Agencies. List and locations: http://www.ars.sante.fr
The National Reference Center (CNR) for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism
Director:
Dr. Christelle Mazuet, Institut Pasteur, 25-28, rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15
Tel. +33 1 45 68 84 56 // +33 1 44 38 91 22
Email: christelle.mazuet@pasteur.fr
Guidelines for sending samples to the National Reference Center for Botulism
To learn more about the missions of the National Reference Centers, click here.
The Directorate General for Health (Ministry of Health): http://www.sante.gouv.fr/
Specific surveillance of botulism through the BIOTOX plan
Botulinum toxin could potentially be used as a biological weapon, introduced into food, into a drinking water system, or used in aerosolized form. Santé publique France’s surveillance of botulism is receiving heightened attention as part of the BIOTOX plan, implemented by health authorities.
Preventive measures against botulism
Through its prevention mission, Santé publique France disseminates messages aimed at reducing the risk of botulism in the general population and among children.
Preventing botulism through basic hygiene rules
To this end, Santé publique France highlights informational materials:
a household hygiene fact sheet titled “Entry, Transfer, Multiplication, and Survival of Microorganisms in the Kitchen” published by ANSES;
information to better understand botulism: the Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium Neurotoxinogens fact sheet published by ANSES
Preventing infant botulism
Infant botulism is caused by the ingestion of Clostridium botulinum spores by newborns and infants under 12 months of age. The spores multiply and produce botulinum toxin in the digestive tract, which causes clinical symptoms in infants. To limit this risk in infants, Santé publique France recommends not giving honey to children under 12 months of age. Additionally, further information is available:
on the ANSES website;
in the brochure “Infant Nutrition” published by ANSES;
on page 13 of the new health record available on the Ministry of Health’s website.
