( CNN ) -- Contraband alcohol is believed to have sickened at least seven Arizona inmates , who are receiving antitoxins for suspected botulism poisoning , officials said Tuesday . Pinal County communications director Heather Murphy said inmates began showing symptoms at the Arizona State Prison Complex Eyman in Florence . Four inmates become seriously ill Saturday . By Monday , seven inmates were in intensive care , all suffering from some form of paralysis , officials said . `` It is suspected that the inmates came in contact with the toxin from homemade prison 'hooch , ' made from fermented fruit , '' said Murphy . An eighth inmate was transported for observation , but Murphy said `` his condition has not reached a threshold that the medical team and CDC believe antitoxin should be administered . '' The affected pod houses about 15 inmates . Pinal County and state corrections officials were working to isolate and eliminate the source of the suspected botulism . Samples of the suspected contraband alcohol , often called `` pruno , '' have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control of Prevention for testing . Results may take about a week . According to the CDC , botulism is `` a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin '' and can be fatal . Symptoms can include `` double vision , blurred vision , drooping eyelids , slurred speech , difficulty swallowing , dry mouth , and muscle weakness '' in patients . Bill Lamoreaux , a spokesman for the state corrections department , said preventative measures will include educating prisoners about the dangers of contraband alcohol and searches to ensure it ca n't be manufactured or consumed . CNN 's Miriam Falco contributed to this report .
Inmates become ill at Arizona State prison . They are being treated for suspected botulism ##s . They believe ' ` ` hooch '' is the cause .