Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Three people hospitalised in Sydney with suspected botulism following anti-wrinkle injections

Investigations are ongoing to determine the specific anti-wrinkle product used

Maroosha Muzaffar
Saturday 25 January 2025 05:58 EST
Comments
Representative image. A doctor measuring a Botox injection
Representative image. A doctor measuring a Botox injection (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Sydney woman is in intensive care, and two others are hospitalised, with suspected botulism linked to unregulated anti-wrinkle injections.

NSW Health said on Saturday that all three individuals received anti-wrinkle injections from the same person on the same day at a Sydney home approximately two weeks ago. Investigations are ongoing to determine the specific anti-wrinkle product used.

In a warning issued by NSW Health on Friday night, it said that the 51-year-old woman may have contracted the disease after receiving an anti-wrinkle injection at a private home from an individual earlier this month, within the past two weeks.

Authorities also have warned against receiving cosmetic injections from unauthorised practitioners, as botulism, though rare, can be fatal. Symptoms include muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, and trouble breathing, which may appear up to two weeks after exposure.

“The person [the woman]  presented with symptoms of botulism, which is a serious, life threatening disease... that often requires ventilation, intubation and ventilation in intensive care," said NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty.

“We’ve also had two other patients who received injections around the same time from the same person also admitted with suspected botulism, so this is a very serious situation,” he told ABC News.

“Cosmetic injections, if used incorrectly, could result in serious harm and even death in the most serious of cases,” he was quoted as saying by Australia’s Nine News.

He said: “Botulism, although rare, can be fatal, which is why it is so important that anyone receiving cosmetic injections does so under the supervision of an appropriately registered health practitioner.

“In this particular case, investigations are continuing, but we want people to be aware of the symptoms of botulism as others could have been exposed.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in