Foodborne botulism outbreak involving different nationalities during the Rugby World Cup: critical role of credit card data and rapid international cooperation, France, September 2023
Laure Meurice, Laurent Filleul, Aurélie Fischer, Annie Burbaud, Gauthier Delvallez, Laure Diancourt, Sophie Bélichon, Benjamin Clouzeau, Denis Malvy, Magali Labadie, Coralie Bragança, Hendrik Wilking, Rafaela Franca, Greg Martin, Gauri Godbole, Mathieu Tourdjman, Nathalie Jourdan‐Da Silva
Abstract
In September 2023, a severe outbreak of type B botulism with fifteen cases was linked to consumption of canned sardines at a restaurant in Bordeaux, France, during the Rugby World Cup. The cases were from seven countries. One death was recorded. Outbreak investigation using credit card data, rapid communication between health authorities of the affected countries and broad media communication allowed identification of cases and exposed persons and prevented further severe outcomes.