Two more women have been hospitalised in Sydney in a suspected botulism outbreak caused by dodgy botox injections.
It comes after another woman was rushed to intensive care on Friday.
The three women received anti-wrinkle injections at an at-home clinic in Guildford, western Sydney, on January 11, NSW Police said.
Police are now treating the three suspected botulism cases as an outbreak.
Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness that occurs when the body is exposed to the botulinum toxin.
Symptoms of the illness can include progressive weakness, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, and difficulty breathing.
NSW Health issued a public alert after the first woman was taken to Auburn Hospital before being transferred to Westmead Hospital on Friday.
The 51-year-old woman’s condition had stablised by Saturday morning.
Three women in Sydney have been admitted to i following dodgy botox injections in early January (stock pictured)
The first woman, 51, was rushed to Auburn hospital after developing botulism in the weeks following her
NSW Health is currently working with the Health Care Complaints Commission and NSW Police who are investigating the unregulated product linked to all three cases.
‘Investigations into the specific anti-wrinkle product that was used are underway and NSW Health is working with the Health Care Complaints Commission and NSW Police on this matter,’ a department spokesperson said.
‘Cosmetic injections, if used incorrectly, could result in serious harm and even death in the most serious of cases.’
NSW Health’s Executive Director of Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, said the case was a reminder of the potential side effects of unregulated cosmetic injections.
‘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,’ he said.
Symptoms of botulism can appear for up to two weeks following cosmetic injections.
Authorities advised anyone experiencing similar symptoms to seek immediate medical attention at their nearest emergency department or call triple zero.
The authorities have urged any other affected patients to come forward.
