Congregant: Ohio church has no animosity over botulism cases

LANCASTER, Ohio (AP) — One of the congregants sickened with botulism after a central Ohio church potluck in April says no one there has any animosity toward the person who made the potato salad that was blamed for the outbreak.

The pastor of Cross Pointe Freewill Baptist Church tells the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette only one person remains hospitalized, with complications from pneumonia. In all, 30 people showed signs of illness, 21 were hospitalized and one died.

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by bacteria.

Congregant Debbie Wright says it has left her with breathing problems, which has been difficult because she’s a singer and music teacher. But she says she and others affected understand it was an accident and aren’t holding grudges.