23rd November 2022 – (Hong Kong) A 45-year-old woman was suspected of botulism poisoning after receiving botulinum toxin injections at a beauty salon in Jordan on the 12th of this month. She developed symptoms such as dizziness, weakness of limbs and difficulty in breathing the next day. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health said today (23rd) that the patient went to Princess Margaret Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department yesterday (22nd) and was admitted to the hospital on the same day.
Her current condition is stable and she was clinically diagnosed as suspected iatrogenic botulism. The Department of Health has referred the case to the police for follow-up. The female patient went to CC Beauty located in Hang Bong Commercial Centre, No. 28 Shanghai Street, and received Botox injections on her calves and shoulders. The next day, she developed dizziness, drooping eyes, double vision, dysphonia, weakness in limbs, waist and abdomen, fatigue and dyspnea and she only sought medical advice yesterday.
The department is continuing to investigate because the relevant muscles of the patient will be affected, and the botulinum toxin may also spread, affecting other areas other than the injection site, and various symptoms such as difficulty in chewing and blurred vision will appear within hours, days or weeks after injection. The Center for Health Protection pointed out that botulinum toxin injections should only be administered by local registered doctors. Consumers are urged to know the full names of doctors, check the list of doctors registered with the Hong Kong Medical Council, and check their professional qualifications.