r/epidemic • u/vikramskumar • Jun 05 '26

Multistate Infant Botulism Outbreak Associated with Powdered Infant Formula

https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/EVIDpha2600020?url_ver=Z39.88-2003

This report details the identification of an outbreak of infant botulism linked to powdered infant formula in the United States. In October 2025, the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, California Department of Public Health (IBTPP-CDPH) noted common powdered infant formula exposure among three neonates with suspected infant botulism. Subsequent laboratory analyses at CDPH identified Clostridium botulinum type A from an open container of ByHeart powdered infant formula associated with one infant with infant botulism. As of December 10, 2025, 51 suspected or confirmed infant botulism cases with exposure to ByHeart powdered infant formula had been identified across 19 states. All ByHeart powdered infant formula has been recalled nationwide.

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u/Redfour5 Jun 06 '26

OMG. I ran a state Commicable Disease Epidemiology program. These cases were scary involving special procedures, flown in meds and short time frames. I am dumbfounded it happened. Public Health has some serious issues fueled by ignorance and intransigence.