In three regions of Ukraine, people contracted botulism after receiving cosmetic injections
In 2026, cases of iatrogenic botulism were reported in Ukraine following cosmetic injections of botulinum toxin. The cases were identified in the Poltava, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi regions, according to the Center for Public Health.
This year in Ukraine, cases of iatrogenic botulism were reported following botulinum toxin injections, which are used in cosmetology to treat wrinkles. The Public Health Center announced this on September 25. The disease was detected in three regions—Poltava, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi. Botulinum toxin used in cosmetology is the same substance produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In medical preparations, it is purified and used in a precisely defined dose.
According to the Public Health Center, the procedure itself can be safe if a high-quality, certified drug is used, stored properly, and administered in the correct dose. It is also important that the procedure be performed by a qualified healthcare professional. Problems can arise if a counterfeit or substandard product is used, if it is stored improperly, or if the dosage is incorrect. In such cases, iatrogenic botulism—a disease associated with medical intervention—may develop.
The Public Health Center also highlights the difference in the cost of procedures. According to medical professionals, the price difference between a reputable healthcare provider and a so-called “bargain offer” is often around 1,000 hryvnias. At the same time, treating botulism can be significantly more expensive. The patient may require hospitalization—sometimes in the intensive care unit—as well as antitoxin serum. A single dose of this serum costs the government about 230,000 hryvnias.
How to Safely Administer a Botulinum Toxin Injection
The Center for Public Health advises that, before the procedure, you first check who exactly is performing it. You should consult a doctor with the appropriate qualifications. They must work at a healthcare facility or as a self-employed individual with a license to practice medicine. Before the procedure, you can verify that the service provider has a valid license. You should also ensure that the medication is officially registered in the State Register of Medicines of Ukraine.
The patient also has the right to ask the doctor to show the medication’s packaging. It’s important to verify the name and manufacturer, as well as check the lot number and expiration date. The Center for Public Health urges people not to choose such procedures based solely on the lowest price. It is more important to verify the doctor’s qualifications, ensure they are licensed, and confirm the quality of the medication.
What Symptoms Should Raise Concerns
After a botulinum toxin injection, you should pay attention to how you feel over the next few days. Dangerous symptoms may include double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing or speaking, severe muscle weakness, and shortness of breath. If these symptoms appear, seek medical help immediately or call 103.
It is important to tell medical professionals right away that you had a botulinum toxin procedure the day before. You should also mention where exactly the procedure was performed. This information can help doctors determine the cause of your symptoms more quickly and begin the necessary treatment. The Center for Public Health emphasizes that you should not wait for the symptoms to go away on their own. Botulism can progress rapidly and lead to serious breathing difficulties. This was reported by the Center for Public Health on Friday, September 25.
