A Maine infant has been hospitalized with a suspected case of botulism tied to contaminated infant formula.

ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula is being voluntarily recalled stemming from a multistate outbreak of infant botulism, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising parents to avoid giving their infants the Whole Nutrition formula. As of Nov. 14, there were 23 confirmed or suspected botulism cases across the country related to the contaminated formula, according to the U.S. CDC.

According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the suspected case was reported on Monday and the child, who reportedly consumed the infant formula products in the weeks before their illness, is still hospitalized.

The infant is receiving antibody treatment, according to the Maine CDC, and tests to confirm the botulism diagnosis are ongoing.

The last confirmed case of infant botulism in Maine was in 2022, according to the Maine CDC. Botulism is a bacterial infection and, while infants can be hospitalized from the infection, they typically recover, according to the CDC. If left untreated, infant botulism can lead to paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and muscles used for breathing. The disease can be fatal.

Early symptoms of botulism include difficulty feeding, constipation, weak or altered crying and muscle weakness. Parents whose children have taken the Whole Nutrition formula should watch closely for symptoms, as early intervention is crucial, according to the Maine CDC.

Any items and surfaces that touched the formula should be washed using hot soapy water.

Dr. Erica Pan, director of the California Department of Public Health, where there are three botulism cases, told PBS News last week that infant botulism is typically a “sporadic disease.”

“It’s almost never been seen in an outbreak. This is the first time we have seen it linked to a specific formula,” Pan said in the PBS interview. “Infant formula should be sterile. It shouldn’t have either dirt or bacteria in it.”

ByHeart is facing at least two lawsuits stemming from the contaminated formula, according to NBC News.

On its website, ByHeart apologized to its customers in a statement and said it was working with the FDA on the recall. The “confusion and fear” customers are experiencing “has been heartbreaking, and we are so sorry,” ByHeart said in the statement.

All products that have been purchased should be disposed of and refunds are available. Customers can call 866-201-9069 for refund requests or further questions.