Argentine health authorities have confirmed the death of a woman following a foodborne botulism outbreak in the province of La Pampa, with two additional people hospitalized.
According to the Ministry of Health of La Pampa, the three individuals had shared a meal in the Toay region. One woman later died, while the other two affected individuals are receiving hospital treatment.
In response to the incident, authorities issued an urgent public health alert, warning consumers not to eat certain Juli-Mar brand food products that lack official registration. Officials have not yet confirmed which specific food item was contaminated.
A prosecutor-led investigation resulted in the closure of the suspected production site where the contaminated products were believed to have been made. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of botulinum toxin in food samples as well as in samples taken from one of the patients.
Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In foodborne cases, symptoms typically appear 18 to 36 hours after consuming contaminated food. Early signs include extreme fatigue, weakness, and dizziness, followed by blurred vision, dry mouth, and difficulty speaking or swallowing. In severe cases, the toxin can paralyze respiratory muscles, leading to sudden death.
Health authorities noted that botulism cases have been reported elsewhere in Argentina in recent months. In November, two cases involving a father and daughter were confirmed in Mendoza, and a suspected case was recorded in July involving a 10-year-old child in San Carlos. Earlier this year, a three-month-old infant was diagnosed with infant botulism in Salta, marking the second such case in the province in 2025.
Officials continue to investigate the source of the contamination and urge the public to avoid consuming unregistered food products while the investigation remains ongoing.