In Russia, 139 people consult a doctor for symptoms of botulism. Ready-to-eat salads may be to blame

MOSCOW — At least 139 people in Russia have sought medical attention for symptoms of botulism in recent days, authorities said Monday, an outbreak that may be linked to ready-to-eat salads.

Foodborne botulism is a rare disease caused by a toxin produced by a type of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Eating food contaminated with the toxin can cause paralysis, difficulty breathing and sometimes death. Poorly preserved, improperly preserved, or fermented foods are common sources.

Typical symptoms of botulism may include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing or speaking, and neurological symptoms.

In Moscow, 121 people sought medical help due to suspected botulism, the city’s deputy mayor, Anastasia Rakova, said on Monday, cited by the official Russian news agency Tass. She added that 55 of those affected are in serious condition, including 30 in intensive care.

Twelve people sought medical help for suspected botulism in Nizhny Novgorod, a city about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of Moscow. Nine of them are in serious condition, according to the regional Ministry of Health.

Six people were hospitalized with symptoms of botulism in Kazan, a city about 700 kilometers (440 miles) east of Moscow.

Health authorities appear to have linked at least some of the cases in Moscow to two brands of ready-made salads. Russia’s public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, suspended the sale of the salads on Saturday pending an investigation, after the first cases of poisoning were reported.

A popular food delivery service, Kukhnya Na Rayone, which operates in Moscow, Kazan and several other cities, had one of the salads on the menu. The company suspended operations over the weekend, saying in an online statement that it was no longer offering the salad, which contained canned beans, and would also inspect other foods offered.

The Kazan branch of Rospotrebnadzor, as well as the Nizhny Novgorod Health Ministry, said that people hospitalized in both cities ate the salad prepared by Kukhnya Na Rayone.

Authorities have not said for sure whether the salads were actually contaminated with botulism. A criminal investigation was underway.