The Alaska Division of Public Health received reports of a cluster of Botulism poisoning cases coming from one village. Those affected had all consumed fermented beaver tail and paw meat. This is a customary food for many Alaskan Natives. The cases reported dry mouth, blurry vision, and general weakness. Two cases developed respiratory failure and had to be intubated. Of these one suffered a heart attack, but was successfully resuscitated. One case needed a tracheostomy tube and mechanical ventilation for a month after the exposure. Specimens from the exposed people were analyzed at the CDC and found to contain Clostridium botulinum type E. This type is found in freshwater and marine animals, and traces were also found in the remaining paw meat.