Why are Botulism outbreaks occurring now?) Are inland lakes susceptible to Type E botulism outbreaks?
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has cited rare reports of Type E botulism on the states inland lakes. Scientists believe that there is a minimal threat of botulism outbreak transfer from the Great Lakes to inland lakes, since the disease itself is not transferable from a transportation standpoint. The likelihood of an infected animal getting from the Great Lakes to an inland lake is small, since it will probably be too incapacitated by the toxin to travel. With botulism spores already existing everywhere, the most likely way an outbreak would occur in a new location is if the optimal environmental factors exist that allow the bacteria to enter a vegetative state and produce the toxin. (See also: Why are botulism outbreaks occurring now?
