Botulism is caused by botulinum neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium 
botulinum. It is a flaccid paralysis in which consciousness and nociception are 
preserved. Natural botulism typically results from ingestion of inadequately 
heated or unheated vacuum-packed foods. In addition, botulinum toxin is one of 
the most feared biological weapons. In the diagnosis and treatment of botulism 
early suspicion is essential. Several coinciding or local clusters without a 
typical connecting source, or an uncommon type of toxin may indicate an 
intentionally caused epidemic.