Donetsk, Aug 7 - DAN. Donetsk People’s Republic medics have recorded one case of botulism in the DPR territory since the beginning of this year, the Republic’s Health Care Ministry press service told the Donetsk News Agency on Tuesday.

“One case of botulism was recorded in the DPR this year. The patient has recovered,” the press service said.

The infectious disease ward of Donetsk’s Central Clinical Hospital No 1 has botulism antitoxin. All the patients needing vaccination have been sent to this medical centre, the press service added.

In Ukraine, 70 botulism cases, including five fatal ones, have been recorded this year. The situation was provoked by a lack of the vaccine which Ukraine had imported from Russia until 2014.

Botulism is a serious illness caused by the botulinum toxin which results in nervous system impairment. All types of botulism eventually lead to paralysis. Complications follow such as respiratory failure and myocarditis. The disease has a high fatality rate.*jk