Botulism cases are on the rise, and the public has been encouraged to be informed about how to keep themselves from falling victim to the illness. 

A church dinner in Ohio has resulted in the death of a 54-year-old woman because of the disease, according to CNN, while two people in New Mexico has been hospitalized after eating contaminated food, the Food Poisoning Bulletin reported. New York is warning its locals on a possible botulism risk from dried fish sold at the market, as reported by Food Safety News.

How can you protect yourself from botulism? Here are some facts you need to know. The information is culled from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The disease is caused by a rod-shaped bacteria called the Clostridium botulinum (also called C. botulinum), which is able to thrive in low-oxygen environment for years. As such, the bacteria can be easily found in soil and marine life and is more commonly identified as spores. While generally harmless as spores, when active, they release a chemical poison that can harm the central nervous system if ingested.

The bacteria is often found in canned goods, fruits and vegetables particularly when fermented, as well as seafood. The canning process usually takes away oxygen, which is why C. botulinum can grow in food. When canned goods are stored at room temperature, the bacteria can activate, thus becoming toxic. But heating the food can dissipate the toxin, as it is sensitive to extreme temperatures.

To prevent botulism, adhere to the following:

• Throw away spoiled food immediately, including canned goods.
• Do not attempt to eat contents of canned goods or jars if these have leaks, cracks, swelling or bulges.
• Properly heat the food before eating. The ideal time is ten minutes or longer.
• Refrigerate any leftovers at least two hours after they have been cooked. Do not let food items sit out in a room.

The good news is that botulism has a generally low fatality rate and is not contagious, which means it won't cause an outbreak, according to the CNN. However, if a person is left untreated within 36 hours of consuming contaminated food, they could experience double vision, a difficulty in swallowing, respiratory failure and paralysis.

Antitoxins are usually administered to a person who has been poisoned by the bacteria. The public is advised to seek help from the hospital immediately if symptoms appear.