Irish people hospitalised after Bordeaux botulism outbreak during Rugby World Cup

French newspaper 'Sud Ouest' reported that the owner of Tchin Tchin Wine Bar in Bordeaux, above, said he threw away some sardines due to a strong smell, but that he served others which seemed in good condition. Picture: Facebook

The HSE has confirmed “a small number” of Irish people are being treated in French hospitals for botulism after an outbreak linked to a wine bar in Bordeaux claimed the life of one woman.

Following a meeting of public health officials on Wednesday night, the HSE confirmed further cases in the French city, where thousands of rugby fans travelled to see Ireland play Romania in their Rugby World Cup pool game on Saturday.

The cases are all linked to people who ate sardines at the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar in central Bordeaux.

It is understood one Irish fan is in intensive care but the nationality of the deceased woman, aged 32, has not been confirmed.

In all, at least 12 people have been infected — from Ireland, the US, Canada, and Germany.

In a statement on Wednesday night, the HSE said: “Unfortunately, a small number of Irish citizens have been affected and are receiving appropriate care in France.

"The HSE is advising anyone who ate sardines at the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar between Monday, September 4, and Sunday, September 10, and who feel unwell to seek urgent medical care at an emergency department."

The HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) director Greg Martin reassured the public that botulism is not contagious. 

“It is important to emphasise that this advice only applies to those who ate sardines at the premises during the time specified — there are no other circumstances in which a person can be affected by this incident,” Dr Martin said.

“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," he said.

"The disease can lead to problems with vision and paralysis.”

HPSC director Greg Martin reassured the public that botulism is not contagious and the HSE advice applied only to people who ate sardines at the Tchin Tchin Wine Bar in Bordeaux from September 4 to 10. File picture

Botulism is a serious neurological condition caused by a poisonous toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It usually occurs after eating foods containing the toxin.

French regional newspaper Sud Ouest quoted the restaurant owner as saying he had thrown away some of the jars containing sardines because of a strong smell from the containers when opened.

But others appeared to be in good condition and were served, according to the report.

Most people infected by botulism make a full recovery but the recovery period can be many months. The disease can be fatal in 5-10% of cases. It is usually 12-36 hours between exposure to the toxin and the development of symptoms.

A spokeswoman for the ARS Santé Bordeaux health agency said those affected included “an Irish man who lived in Paris and his wife”.

She also said a person living in Spain was affected, and this person is believed to be Irish.

Patients who come forward with early symptoms can benefit from an antitoxin, which can capture the toxin before it causes paralysis.