Ricin poisoning
Ricin is a stable toxin easily made from the mash that
remains after processing castor beans (Ricinus communis) for oil.
Castor oil was once used as an oral laxative, but is now used mainly as
an industrial lubricant and for preparing leather products. Castor beans
are grown agriculturally worldwide and the plants grow wildly in arid
parts of the United States. Castor beans are slightly larger than pinto
beans, darkly colored with light mottling, and have a small light-brown
cap at one end. They have been described as looking like blood-engorged
ticks. The beans are not normally used as food. Poisoning can occur
following inhalation, ingestion, or injection of ricin toxin from castor
beans.
General information
CDC Facts about
Ricin (exit DHS)
Unknown Substance Protocol (PDF, 242 KB)
Ricin
poisoning fact sheet (PDF, 16 KB) Hmong (PDF,
16 KB) Spanish (PDF,
15 KB)
Information for health professionals
This is a Wisconsin Disease Surveillance Category I
disease:
Report IMMEDIATELY by TELEPHONE to
the patient's local public health department upon identification of a
confirmed or suspected case. The local health department shall then notify the
state epidemiologist immediately of any confirmed or suspected cases. Submit a
case report within 24 hours submit a case report electronically through the Wisconsin Electronic
Surveillance System (WEDSS), by mail or fax using an Acute and Acute and Communicable Disease Case
Report F44151
(PDF, 167 KB), or by other means. DHS
Communicable Disease Reporting Wisconsin case reporting
and public health follow-up guidelines: Ricin
poisoning EpiNet (PDF, 39 KB)
Contacts
Wisconsin
Local Health Departments - Regional offices - Tribal agencies
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Last Revised:
April 17, 2013 |
