According to hospital officials, one person has been reported dead and 20 others were hospitalized with botulism after they attended a church potluck in Ohio.

All of the 21 people were taken to the Fairfield Medical Center Emergency Department in Lancaster, Ohio. According to the medical center, all people attended a potluck at the Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church in Lancaster on Monday.

According to the hospital, the Centers for Disease Control has sent anti-toxins so that sick people can receive treatment. As per experts, Botulism is an uncommon paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin and is not contagious.

Symptoms are as follows: blurred vision, double vision, difficulty swallowing and drooping eyelids. Symptoms normally begin within 18-36 hours after eating contaminated food bit it can take place up to 10 days post-ingestion.

According to the hospital, as Botulism is not contagious, so no threat is there for the public. Local health officials are investigating the cause of the outbreak. If anyone was at the event and are experiencing any of the above symptoms should go to the nearby emergency department. If anyone wants to ask question can call: 740-687-8053.

The CDC has suggested that Botulinum toxin is destroyed by high temperatures, so those who consume home-canned foods must consider boiling them for 10 minutes before consuming it.

About 145 cases of botulism are reported every year, said the CDC. Of these, about 15% are food-borne, 65% are infant botulism and 20% are wound. According to the CDC, outbreaks of food-borne botulism including two or more persons takes place most years and are generally caused by home-canned foods.