TEXAS – Parents are being warned not to give their babies pacifiers containing honey after four infants were treated for a rare poisoning.
- 4 cases of botulism in Texas
- Linked to Mexico honey pacifiers
- Botulism can cause paralysis, death
The Texas Department of State Health Services issued the warning after several cases of botulism were reported in the state.
Each of the babies had been given a pacifier containing honey from Mexico and had to be hospitalized for life-saving treatment.
The illnesses happened between mid-August and October. The unrelated cases were reported in West, North, and South Texas.
Botulism is caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nerves, causing difficulty breathing, paralysis and even death. The honey is believed to contain a bacterium that can produce the toxin.
It is recommended that children under 12 months old never consume honey.