10 Hospitalised After Buying Fake Botox Injections Online

From May until August 2025, ten people became seriously ill after using counterfeit Botox injections they obtained via social media, according to health authorities.

At least one person among them was a New York resident, as mentioned in a recent advisory by the New York City Department of Health on Monday. 

This advisory referenced a CDC report dated Nov. 27. As per the NYC Department of Health, the affected individuals received botulism antitoxin and survived, as shared in the advisory on Monday.

According to the NYC Health Department advisory, three of the hospitalised individuals additionally needed intubation and a ventilator.

The N.Y.C. The Health Department advisory stated, "Several symptomatic individuals reported seeing ads for sellers offering botulinum toxin products on social media, including TikTok."

The advisory further noted, "These individuals said they contacted sellers and acquired the items through messaging services like WhatsApp. 

"Many products were noted as unlabelled vials of white powder, lacking critical information such as the product's name, concentration, dosage, expiration date, manufacturer, lot number, instructions, and warnings."

The Department of Health advised medical professionals, stating, "Early signs of botulism include double or unclear vision, sagging eyelids, impaired speech, trouble swallowing, and breathing difficulties; these signs may lead to a descending, symmetrical muscle weakness developing over hours to days."

Individuals interested in Botox are urged to have injections from certified professionals and avoid purchasing DIY kits online.