About 70 people who received the weight-loss injection in Turkey developed botulism, a life-threatening disease that causes paralysis. Health authorities have warned that people should not travel to the country for surgery and those who have had it should seek medical advice.
Josephine Franks, news reporter @jos_franks
Friday 17 March 2023 10:45, UK
Around 70 botulism cases in Turkey have been linked to weight loss injections, prompting European health authorities to issue a warning to medical tourists.
Of the 67 people who developed botulism, a life-threatening condition that causes paralysis, many were admitted to intensive care, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
Health authorities have warned people not to travel to Turkey for stomach injections of botulism neurotoxin (BoNT), often called Botox after its original brand name. Trademarked brand Botox is not linked to the spate of illnesses in Türkiye.
The ECDC warned that the procedure carried a “significant risk of developing botulism.”
Although Botox is primarily associated with reducing wrinkles, it is also used as a weight loss treatment. When injected into the stomach wall, it relaxes the muscles and suppresses appetite.
Cosmetic BoNT injections and the disease botulism are both derived from toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum.
Botulism is rare as a result of BoNT injections, but can occur if a patient is injected with an “excessive dose,” according to the ECDC.
In botulism, the toxin attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis. Blurred vision, droopy eyelids, and difficulty swallowing are symptoms associated with cosmetic botulism.
Most people make a full recovery with treatment, but without prompt treatment the paralysis can spread to the muscles that control breathing.
For foodborne botulism, 5-10% of cases are fatal, but there is not yet sufficient data to establish a mortality rate for cosmetic botulism.
ECDC said it is not yet clear whether the botulism is related to a hospital procedure or a problem with the product.
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Of the 63 cases with available information, 60 were linked to private hospitals in Istanbul and three to private hospitals in Izmir.
An investigation conducted by Turkish authorities found that approved products were being used, but they were not approved for obesity treatment.
Departments at the hospital were suspended and an investigation was launched.
ECDC advises people who traveled to Istanbul and Izmir for gastric BoNT injections between February 22 and March 1, 2023 to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms, especially weakness, difficulty breathing or swallowing. advised to contact.
The UK government has advised Britons considering traveling to Turkey for medical procedures to do their own research rather than relying on “private companies with a financial interest in arranging treatment abroad”. ing.
At least 22 British nationals have died in Turkey after visiting medical tourism since January 2019.
