Two more babies have been added to the patient count for an outbreak of infant botulism infections traced to ByHeart powdered infant formula.
The Food and Drug Administration reports that there are now 39 infants across 18 states from coast to coast who are infected. All of the infants have required hospitalization. The sick infants live in Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
ByHeart has recalled all of its formula, which was sold nationwide and online. This includes all formula cans and single-serve “anywhere pack” sticks. The FDA is continuing to receive reports that the recalled formula remains available at stores. Those stores include Walmart, Target, Kroger, Acme and Shaw’s.
All of the sick infants consumed ByHeart powdered formula. They range in age from 16 to 264 days They became ill beginning Aug. 9 through Nov. 19. It can take up to several weeks for symptoms of botulism to occur.
Most infants with infant botulism will initially develop constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing, which can progress to difficulty breathing and respiratory arrest. Most infants must be placed on ventilators.
Testing by government agencies and ByHeart has found botulism spores in the company’s powdered infant formula.
