Peterborough City Council is investigating potential botulism cases after multiple people have been admitted to hospital with complications.
A small number of people have reportedly experienced difficulty swallowing, blurred or double vision, slurred speech and breathing difficulties, which required respiratory support, after receiving cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin.
This comes after 38 patients had experienced the same complications in the East of England and East Midlands, after receiving injections they believed were botulinum toxin, but are now suspected to have been counterfeit or improperly administered products.
Investigations are ongoing; however, the incidents are suspected to involve unlicensed botulinum toxin-like products and are believed to be linked to private practitioners working in their own or clients’ homes, according to the city council.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the NHS were working with the council to stop the practitioners linked to the cases from carrying out further procedures.
Dr James McGowan, consultant in health protection, UKHSA, East said, “Botulism related to aesthetic procedures is rare, but we are seeing cases and they have been serious.”
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, cabinet member for adults and health for Peterborough City Council, said, “The aesthetics speciality is growing rapidly and remains largely unregulated, which is why the Government is looking into new regulations to protect the public. I am concerned at the number of unregulated practitioners providing such treatments and putting people’s lives at risk. I urge anyone considering cosmetic procedures to follow practitioner advice and ensure the salon they are using is reputable.”
