Botulism

Image of cow with botulism Botulism is a disease caused by the ingestion of the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

There are several different types of toxin. The bacteria are widespread and their toxins can affect most animals and birds, including people.

It is commonly found in the gut of poultry and wild birds, and in the litter in poultry houses. Problems with intoxications are sporadic in wild birds, but can cause paralysis with high numbers of birds dying.

Intoxications in cattle have been associated with the grazing of land on which poultry litter has been spread.

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