Three people have developed symptoms of a rare but life-threatening paralysing illness after suspected fake Botox injections at a Sydney home, prompting health authorities to warn against anti-wrinkle injections from unauthorised practitioners.
Now in intensive care at a Sydney hospital, a woman developed botulism symptoms after she had unregulated anti-wrinkle injections at the unlicensed premises, NSW Health said.
NSW Health is reminding the community to only receive cosmetic anti-wrinkle injections from an authorised practitioner.Credit: Getty Images
Another two people who went to the same premises in Guildford on January 11 have been admitted to hospital and treated for botulism. All three were injected by the same person on the same day about two weeks ago.
Botulism is a rare and potentially deadly condition, caused by a neurotoxic protein called botulinum toxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is used to make Botox.
Previous cases of botulism linked to Botox injections have been due to counterfeit or mishandled Botox by unlicensed or inexperienced injectors. Incorrect dosages and poor technique enabled the toxin to enter the bloodstream.
NSW Health, the Health Care Complaints Commission and NSW Police are investigating the specific anti-wrinkle product used at the unlicensed premises. The authorities would not disclose further details about the individual who injected the affected people, or the location of the premises.
NSW Health executive director health protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, said the cases were a reminder of the potential side effects of unregulated cosmetic injections and warned the public to be sure to receive cosmetic injections only from authorised practitioners.
“Cosmetic injections, if used incorrectly, could result in serious harm and even death in the most serious of cases,” McAnulty said.
“Botulism, although rare, can be fatal, which is why it is so important that anyone receiving cosmetic injections does so under the supervision of an appropriately registered health practitioner,” he said.
Symptoms of botulism can appear for up to two weeks following injections and may include progressive weakness, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), drooping eyelids (ptosis), blurred or double vision (diplopia) and difficulty breathing.
NSW Health urges anyone experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by visiting their nearest emergency department or calling triple zero.
Fewer than 50 cases of botulism have been confirmed in Australia since 1998, with infants accounting for the bulk of cases.
Babies under 12 months old are at greatest risk, as the immature gut has not yet developed natural defences to the spores of Clostridium botulinum. Found in contaminated dust, soil and raw honey these then grow in the intestine and produce the toxin.
The bacterium can also flourish in improperly stored at-home preserved or canned fruit, vegetables and meats, causing botulism. People with open wounds that are not thoroughly cleaned and injecting drug users are at risk of wound botulism.
In 2023, a man was admitted to Royal North Shore Hospital’s intensive care unit, suffering severe symptoms of botulism after drinking incorrectly stored almond milk from packaging that failed to inform consumers to refrigerate the products.
with Angus Dalton
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