Written question asked by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party) on Monday, 7 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 16 September 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Botulism

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the recording of cases of iatrogenic, foodborne and other botulism in humans and domestic and wild animals; and what actions they are taking to support improved global data collection of botulism outbreaks.

Answer

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) records all cases of botulism in humans, including iatrogenic and foodborne botulism. Foodborne, infant, and wound botulism are very rare. Iatrogenic botulism cases only emerged in England in 2025 and have not yet been included in routine reporting.

To support global data collection of botulism, outbreaks of botulism involving United Kingdom residents are published by Eurosurveillance, Europe's journal on infectious disease surveillance, epidemiology, prevention, and control.

Foodborne and infant botulism cases are also published within UKHSA’s annual Gastrointestinal infections and outbreaks in England reports, and wound botulism counts annually in the UKHSA’s Shooting Up: infections among people who inject drugs in the UK reports.

Botulism in animals is not notifiable.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL3139
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Disease control Statistics Botulism
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Botulism

Secondary information

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