People in Igloolik, Sanirajak possibly sickened with botulism
Nunavut Health Department warns people in both communities not to eat fermented meat
Botulism is a potentially fatal food-borne illness that can show up in fermented meat that has been improperly preserved. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Health officials suspect fermented meat may have sickened people in Igloolik and Sanirajak with botulism.
The Nunavut Health Department issued a public health advisory Tuesday evening, warning people in both communities to avoid this type of food for the time being.
The advisory does not specify what animal the suspected infected meat came from. A variety of foods are traditionally fermented in Nunavut, including walrus or whale meat, caribou and seal fat.
Botulism is caused by clostridium botulinum bacteria that can produce spores in oxygen-free environments, according to Health Canada. It can grow in improperly preserved or canned foods.
The disease can be fatal if left untreated.
Anybody who has recently eaten fermented meat should watch for symptoms including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, blurred vision, or trouble breathing. Contact the local health centre if these symptoms occur, the advisory said.
Health officials warned people in Sanikiluaq in December 2023 to avoid fermented meat because of possible botulism concerns.
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