U.S. health officials have issued a warning about counterfeit Botox injections that have made 22 people sick, with half of them requiring hospitalization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert to doctors on Tuesday regarding these cases, which have been reported in 11 states since early November.
The CDC stated that the injections were administered by unlicensed or untrained individuals in settings such as homes or spas. Most of the affected individuals received botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic purposes, with six people being treated for suspected botulism. Botulism is a deadly disease that can occur when the toxin enters the bloodstream, leading to symptoms such as double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing.
Health officials emphasized the importance of only getting injections from licensed professionals and urged the public to report any suspected counterfeit products. The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the AP is responsible for all content.