U.S. health officials have issued a warning regarding counterfeit Botox injections that have led to the illness of 22 individuals, with half of them requiring hospitalization, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC alerted doctors about this concerning issue on Tuesday.
These cases emerged in early November and have been documented in 11 states across the country. The CDC highlighted that the injections were administered by unlicensed or inadequately trained individuals, often in non-medical settings such as homes or spas. Most of the affected individuals sought these injections for cosmetic purposes.
Health officials disclosed that six people were treated for suspected botulism, a severe condition caused by botulinum toxin entering the bloodstream. Botulism manifests with symptoms like double or blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and breathing challenges.
The CDC emphasized the importance of receiving such injections only from licensed professionals and urged the public to report any suspected counterfeit products promptly.
This alarming development underscores the critical need for stringent oversight and regulation in the cosmetic treatment industry to safeguard public health and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
