On 7 March 2023, the National International Health Regulations (IHR) Focal Point (NFP) for Germany notified WHO of 5 cases of iatrogenic botulism in individuals who underwent treatment for obesity with endoscopic (intragastric) injection of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) in health institutions in Türkiye.
Among the 69 cases for which treatment location information was known, 2 private hospitals in 2 different locations in Türkiye were identified, with 66 cases linked to 1 hospital and 3 cases linked to another hospital.
The clinical presentation of the cases ranged from mild to severe. At least 5 cases had been admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). There are no reported deaths.
The products used for the treatment were seized and taken for examination and evaluation by the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency. No new symptomatic cases were reported with symptom onset after 8 March 2023.
The case numbers in the text have been updated to reflect the most recent information at the time the Disease Outbreak News document was published.