The New Mexico Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of wound botulism in a 33-year-old woman from Rio Arriba County who remains hospitalized.
Health officials say the patient is a heroin user and the suspected source of infection is a soiled skin injection site, contaminated injection devices or contaminated heroin.
Botulism is a rare, but potentially deadly illness caused by a nerve toxin that induces paralysis.
Wound botulism is caused by the toxin produced from a wound infected with bacteria.
Signs and symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, muscle weakness/descending paralysis and difficulty breathing/shortness of breath.
If left untreated, the symptoms may progress to cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles, arms, legs, and trunk with subsequent death.
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