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Botulism: Sanikiluaq residents to watch for illness from eating fermented seal

Last updated Thursday, November 30, 2023

Public Health Advisory

Botulism: Sanikiluaq residents to watch for illness from eating fermented seal

Start Date: September 12, 2016

Sanikiluaq, Nunavut 60 secs

The Department of Health is advising residents of Sanikiluaq not to eat fermented seal at this time. Public Health is investigating reports of people becoming ill with Botulism after eating fermented seal.

People that have eaten fermented seal should watch for symptoms like:

  • Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Blurred vision
  • Weakness of the arms, chest muscles and legs
  • Trouble breathing

If you have any of these symptoms or questions, please call the community health centre in Sanikiluaq at 867-266-8965.

If you have leftover fermented seal that could be used for testing, please contact your regional environmental health officer at 867-645-8071.

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Media Contact:

Nadine Purdy Communications Officer

Department of Health

867-975-5712

@email

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