ANALYSIS OF THE INCIDENCE OF FOOD-FOOD BOTULISM IN UKRAINE AND IN THE KHARKIV REGION

Abstract

Botulism is a severe food poisoning caused by the toxin of the botulism bacterium entering the human or animal body through food. This disease is characterized by high mortality, which ranges from 37 to 100%. Specific and nonspecific treatment does not always succeed, so the main focus should be on the prevention of this disease.
Cases of botulism in Ukraine are registered annually. Throughout the territory, there are regions with well-defined landscape features where the likelihood of outbreaks is very high. The main risk areas are the southeastern and western regions of Ukraine and the Cherkasy region. Botulism diseases are rare in the northern and southern regions of Ukraine. In the risk group, the following food products are identified, which are associated with cases of botulism: canned meat and fish products, canned food and preserves, spices, poultry products, products packed under vacuum, culinary products. 
In 2018, Ukraine for the first time at the national level procured anti-botulism serum. Until that time, humanitarian cargo was the only way to provide the citizens of Ukraine with specific serums if necessary. So, at the end of October 2017, at the request of the Ministry of Health, the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine delivered 150 doses of anti-botulinum immunoglobulin, which is distributed between the regions.
In June 2019, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine purchased 204 vials of heptavalent (types A, B, C, D, E, F, G) botulinum antitoxin, manufactured in Canada at the expense of the state budget. The antitoxin residues as of March 1 of this year are 123 doses.