Virginia baby sickened amid infant botulism outbreak tied to contaminated formula

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Virginia baby is one of dozens of babies nationwide who have contracted infant botulism -- a rare and potentially deadly disease -- after consuming contaminated formula.

As of Wednesday, Dec. 3, a total of 39 babies across 18 states have suspected or confirmed cases of infant botulism after confirmed exposure to ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes one Virginia baby.

The babies that have fallen ill amid this outbreak are between the ages of 2 weeks and 9 months, the CDC said. Their sicknesses began between Aug. 9 and Nov. 19.

At this time, no deaths have been reported. However, all babies have been hospitalized.

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Infant botulism usually only impacts a few hundred babies each year, the Associated Press reported. It occurs when a baby swallows spores of the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which then grow inside the baby's intestines. They then release a toxin, making the baby sick.

Symptoms of infant botulism, which can take weeks to develop, include constipation, difficulty sucking or swallowing, a weak and altered cry, difficulty breathing, a loss of head control and/or overall muscle tone, drooping eyelids and a flat facial expression. Serious complications can include paralysis and even death.

Though the ByHeart recall only included a few lots at first, all ByHeart products were ultimately recalled after concerns were raised about potential widespread contamination. A round of tests later confirmed these concerns.

ByHeart Infant Formula. (Photos: ByHeart via AP)

ByHeart Infant Formula "Serve Anywhere" sticks. (Photos provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

However, even as of the time of reporting, some ByHeart products are still on shelves at stores including Walmart, Target, Kroger, Acme and Shaw’s, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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"FDA continues to work with state partners and retailers to ensure an effective recall and immediate removal of these products from store shelves across the country," the FDA said on Wednesday. "All ByHeart infant formula products have been recalled, and these products should not be available for sale in stores or online."

Consumers are warned not to feed their babies any ByHeart formula products.

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