Nearly 30 People in England Get Rare Illness After Botox

Jun 25, 2025

TUESDAY, June 24, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Dozens of people in northeastern England have developed a rare and dangerous illness after receiving Botox injections, according to health officials in the U.K.

At least 28 people have reported symptoms of botulism, a potentially deadly illness that attacks the nervous system, after undergoing cosmetic procedures, the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on June 20, CNN reported.

Investigators at the agency said that “evidence so far does not suggest that the product used has been contaminated. Symptoms are being reported a few days up to four weeks after injection.”

The type of botulism in the recent cases is called iatrogenic botulism, and it can result when too much Botox is injected.

The agency is also investigating possible illegal sales of Botox-like products.

Botulism is caused by toxins made by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can lead to muscle weakness and even paralysis.

“These toxins (but not the bacteria) are the active ingredient in Botox and similar products,” Dr. Joanne Darke, a health protection consultant at UKHSA, told CNN. It’s “important to go to a licensed practitioner.”

People affected have experienced droopy eyelids, double vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing and fatigue, CNN reported.

Botulism is rare but can be fatal in 5% to 10% of cases, according to the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS). If left untreated, it can spread to the muscles that control breathing.

Most people recover with fast treatment, which usually includes antitoxin injections.

“The practitioners associated with most of the reported cases are no longer carrying out these procedures,” Simon Howard, a consultant in health protection at the UKHSA, said.

More cases may yet occur, because symptoms can take up four weeks to develop, he said.

“We are now seeing the number of cases coming forward decreasing which is encouraging news,” Howard added.

Meanwhile, the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it’s looking into reports of illegal Botox sales in the North-East region.

“Botulinum toxin (Botox) is a prescription-only medicine and should only be available in the U.K. under the supervision of a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional,” Dr. Alison Cave, the agency’s chief safety officer, said.

She added that the agency’s criminal enforcement team is working to identify and prosecute those involved in illegal activity.

Anyone in the U.K. who has side effects from medication or suspects they received fake products is encouraged to report it through the agency’s Yellow Card program, CNN said.

Earlier this month, 10 suspected cases of iatrogenic botulism were also reported in Massachusetts, all linked to one spa giving cosmetic injections.

More information

The Mayo Clinic has more on botulism.

SOURCE: CNN, June 20 2025