Botulism Outbreak at Church Potluck Leaves One Dead

Revelation 6:7,8 NCV When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse. Its rider was named death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill people by war, by starvation, by disease, and by the wild animals of the earth.

One person is dead and over 20 sickened after an outbreak of botulism at a Lancaster, Ohio church’s potluck dinner.

The Ohio Department of Health confirmed that each of the victims of the botulism had attended the potluck.

Fairfield Medical Center identified the first case of botulism on Tuesday morning and had several cases soon follow the initial patient.  Most of the sick are middle-aged but there were no details released about the person who died from the illness.

Pastor Bill Pitts of Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist church said the potluck was aimed at building fellowship among members.  The church provided meat and drink and everyone in attendance was encouraged to bring a covered side dish.

“Our main emphasis, right now, is for everyone to pray,” he said. “These are people that we love and work with. [I’m] just calling out for a lot of people to pray for them if they would.”

Hospital officials say at least five victims are being treated by intensive care units.

Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin produced by certain bacteria.  The disease is rare but very life threatening.

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