A 23-year-old woman in Colorado has been left paralyzed from the neck down and reliant on a ventilator after consuming canned soup contaminated with a deadly bacteria.

Claudia de Albuquerque Celada, 23, originally from Brazil, was on a work exchange program in Colorado when she became infected with botulism

The disease, which affects about 100 Americans every year, left her paralyzed

A woman in Colorado is battling for her life and has been left paralyzed after contracting a severe bacterial infection, which her friends suspect came from canned soup.

Claudia de Albuquerque Celada, a 23-year-old snowboarder originally from Brazil, was participating in a work exchange program in Aspen when she began experiencing symptoms like dizziness, double vision, and breathing difficulties.

Within just 24 hours, her entire body became paralyzed, forcing her onto a ventilator. It took doctors two weeks to identify the cause of her condition: botulism, an infection that targets nerve tissue and is relatively rare, affecting only around 100 Americans annually.

The family suspects Ms Albuquerque Celada will need six months to a year to recover from her illness. As of now, she is on a ventilator and will be transferred back to Brazil

Individuals familiar with Ms. Albuquerque Celada's situation believe she may have contracted the illness from consuming contaminated soup. Botulism is typically caused by ingesting foods contaminated with the bacterium C. botulinum, which produces toxins that attack the nervous system, leading to paralysis.

Most instances of botulism occur in homemade canned goods when proper preservation techniques are not followed. Historically, botulism has been linked to various foods such as sardines, pesto, tomatoes, and pickles.

Ms. Albuquerque Celada's sister, Luisa Albuquerque, shared on Instagram that her sister had moved to Colorado in November for her dream job, although specifics about her industry are not disclosed.

Sources familar with Ms Albuquerque Celada's case said she became infected with botulism from canned soup that she got while bartering in the ski town of Aspen

Around 15 days after purchasing the soup, Claudia felt ill while at work and eventually experienced shortness of breath, blurred vision, and dizziness at home. Her condition rapidly deteriorated, and by the time her friends arrived at her apartment, she was struggling to breathe and showed signs of facial paralysis.

Following her hospitalization, doctors diagnosed her with botulism on March 1. It's believed she contracted the infection from an industrialized soup, although the exact food item has not been confirmed by her family.

The Pitkin County Health Department has stated that they view Ms. Albuquerque Celada's case as an isolated incident and have identified the source of exposure, assuring the public that there is no ongoing risk.

Swedish Medical Center in Denver, where Ms Albuquerque Celada is hospitalized, has announced that it will cover costs for her to return to Brazil

Botulism can be a debilitating and life-threatening condition, necessitating extensive medical care and rehabilitation. While less than five out of every 100 people with botulism succumb to the disease, survivors often face prolonged recovery periods involving physical therapy and potential long-term complications like fatigue and respiratory issues.

Ms. Goes, a fellow botulism survivor familiar with Ms. Albuquerque Celada's case, advocates for greater awareness of the disease and improved food safety measures. She emphasizes the importance of educating consumers, industry professionals, and healthcare providers about botulism and the necessity for stringent food safety protocols.