A woman from Toronto is in hospital, battling a severe bout of botulism after consuming improperly preserved sardines at a wine bistro located in Bordeaux, France.
The restaurant — Tchin Tchin Wine Bistro — served the sardines to diners from September 4 to September 10, as verified by Canada’s Public Health Agency. News outlets have reported that as many as 25 people may have been affected after dining at the same restaurant and has tragically lead to the death of a 32-year-old Parisian woman.
Among those battling the illness are two women from Toronto — Gabby Chartier and Jubilee Pridham,  the former who is a general manager of Toronto’s popular Italian eatery Piano Piano. It was on the first day of her trip to France that the women were infected.
Investigations are underway and a GoFundMe has been launched by Pridham’s family to help cover the costs of her care and recovery.
“Her health insurance has covered the cost of her hospital stay thus far; it does not, however, extend to the unknowable cost and timeline of her recovery and rehabilitation,” family member Margaree Pridham shares in the GoFundMe.
According to Margaree, after eating the house-made preserved sardines, Jubilee woke up to double vision and experienced difficulty with breathing and swallowing. By the time she arrived at the hospital, Â she had lost the ability to speak and move her body and was placed on a ventilator as she could no longer breathe independently.
The toxin rapid onset in Jubilee’s case was particularly hard on her body as she suffered prolonged exposure. After 72 hours, she received a lifesaving dose of antitoxin, which halted the advancement of the botulism toxin.After 72 hours, Jubilee received a lifesaving dose of antitoxin, which halted the advancement of the botulism toxin.
Within days, the fundraiser easily surpassed its goal of $40,000, raising more than $77,0000 at the time of this article’s posting, with more than 850 donors pitching in.
Its rapid onset in Jubilee’s case was particularly hard on her body as she suffered prolonged exposure. After 72 hours, she received a lifesaving dose of antitoxin, which halted the advancement of the botulism toxin.
French newspaper Le Figaro, has reported an involuntary manslaughter complaint has been lodged against the bistro. The owner has publicly acknowledged discarding additional tins of sardines due to a foul odour and inadequate sealing.
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that’s produced by certain bacteria. This toxin can affect your nerves and muscles, leading to symptoms like muscle weakness, blurred vision and difficulty breathing. It’s usually linked to improperly preserved or canned foods.
