Two cases of foodborne botulism type E and review of epidemiology in France.

In 1999, two new cases of type E botulism were observed in French hospitals. Since this type of botulism is uncommon in France, the cases prompted a national epidemiological study. Sixteen cases of type E botulism, including the two cases reported here, occurred between 1952 and 1999. The clinical and treatment characteristics of all cases were evaluated, and the results suggest that, despite its rarity, type E botulism should be considered by clinicians in France. Changes in the eating habits of people in France, as in the rest of Europe, with the increased consumption of vacuum-packed fish from endemic areas and decreased consumption of local foodstuffs, could explain the occurrence of the most recent cases.