Infant Botulism Outbreak: Risks & Water Safety for Families

Question
We were just notified today by our local city goverment that there has been an on going outbreak (their words) of Infant Botulism in our community most likely from water or soil contamination.
Is this something that only infants get, or do I need to be worried about using bottled water for my entire family.
It seems to me that if its in our water source, everyone who drinks the water could get it.

Answer
Hi Jo,
Unlike the "food borne" botulism, Infant botulism isn't caused by ingeston of the PREFORMED toxin. Children can ingest the spores, they colonize in the colon and THEN release the toxin. Botulinum is common in the environment and in some cases, it is thought that kids inhale the spores in microscopic dust. There have been reports that eating honey can be the source of the problem in infants. Other cases have no known cause. This sort of botulism doesn't affect older children and adults.