NATIONAL: Wife of Irishman in ICU with botulism dies amid deadly outbreak in France

An Irishman remains in a French intensive care unit with botulism after his wife died as a result of the same deadly illness, the Irish Times has reported.

A 32-year-old woman has been confirmed dead in the outbreak of the disease which arose late last week in Bordeaux where Irish fans gathered for the country's clash with Romania at the Rugby World Cup.

It's now been confirmed she is the wife of the Mayo native who is in ICU in Paris, according to the latest reports.

The couple attended the game last Friday and ate at the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar in Bordeaux which has been linked to the outbreak and has been named by the HSE in advice to Irish fans.

The couple travelled from Bordeaux to Paris after the game where they were both hospitalised, and where the woman, originally from Greece, has since passed away.

In a statement, the HSE said: "The HSE has been informed of an incident where people who ate sardines at the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar in Bordeaux have been diagnosed with botulism, unfortunately, a small number of Irish citizens have been affected and are receiving appropriate care in France.

"As a result, the HSE is advising anyone who ate sardines at the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar (3 Rue Emile Duploye, 33000 Bordeaux) between Monday 4 September and Sunday 10 September 2023 and who feel unwell to seek urgent medical care at an Emergency Department. 

“It is important to emphasise that this advice only applies to those who ate sardines at the premises during the time specified."

Dr Greg Martin, director of the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has said there are no other circumstances in which a person can be affected by this incident.

He added: "Botulism can be a serious and potentially fatal condition. Symptoms include blurred vision and difficulty in swallowing and speaking, but sometimes diarrhoea and vomiting can occur. The disease can lead to problems with vision, and paralysis.”

HPSC was alerted of this outbreak on September 12 by French authorities via mechanisms for exchange of information on health threats, with further detail on the implicated restaurant becoming available on September 13, according to the statement.