Botulism is
- AFood borne infection
- BFood-borne intoxication
- CWater-borne infection
- DWater-borne intoxication
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) Food-borne intoxication
Explanation
Botulism is caused by toxins already present in improperly processed food, not by the microbe colonising the body, making it an intoxication, not an infection.
The toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum in low-oxygen conditions, e.g. canned and fermented foods.
Symptoms include muscle paralysis, difficulty in swallowing and speaking.