IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM THE WI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
Multistate Outbreak of Infant Botulism Linked to Recalled Infant Formula
This message is being sent to the Wisconsin Health Alert Network, local public health department staff, local health department nurses, Tribal health directors, and local public health officers.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is monitoring a multistate outbreak of botulism in infants related to the use of Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula. As of June 13, there have been no confirmed cases of infant botulism linked to this outbreak in Wisconsin.
DHS asks Wisconsin health care providers to:
• Instruct parents and caregivers to stop using all Nara Organics infant formula immediately and throw away or return any unopened cans. Opened cans of Nara Organics infant formula should be stored in a safe place for potential testing if symptoms (that is, poor feeding, loss of head control, difficulty swallowing, decreased facial expression) develop.
• Instruct families of infants who may have consumed the recalled formula to monitor for signs of infant botulism for a month after the infant last consumed the product and contact their health care provider if symptoms appear.
• Report all suspected cases of infant botulism to the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases (BCD) immediately at 608-267-9003, or after hours at 800-943-0003 (option 4).
Background
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health officials in several states, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to recalled infant formula. As of June 13, there have been no confirmed cases of infant botulism linked to this outbreak in Wisconsin.
The recalled formula includes all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula. The formula was sold at Target stores, Target.com, and Nara.com.
This formula is not available for purchase through the Wisconsin WIC program.
Guidance for parents and caregivers
Parents and caregivers should stop using all Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula immediately and discard or return any unopened cans.
If anyone has leftover Nara Organics formula that was fed to their infant, they should record the lot number and best by date, and keep it stored for at least a month. If an infant fed Nara Organics powdered infant formula develops symptoms of infant botulism, Bureau of Communicable Diseases (BCD) staff may want to collect this formula for testing.
Parents and caregivers should wash items and surfaces that have come in contact with the recalled formula with hot, soapy water.
Families of infants who may have consumed the recalled formula should monitor for signs of infant botulism and contact their health care provider if symptoms appear. Symptoms may take several weeks to develop and include:
• Poor feeding.
• Loss of head control.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Decreased facial expression.
Guidance for health care providers
Providers should report all suspected cases of infant botulism to BCD immediately at 608-267-9003, or after hours at 800-943-0003 (option 4). BCD approval for botulism testing requires the development of clinically compatible symptoms, consultation with the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program (IBTPP), and the release of BabyBIG antitoxins by IBTPP.
This investigation is still ongoing. See the CDC and FDA postings on this recall for more information.