Another victim claimed by anthrax-contaminated heroin

Published on Friday 22 January 2010 21:52

ANOTHER drug user has tested positive for anthrax after using what is believed to be a contaminated batch of heroin as an outbreak continues to spread, health officials said yesterday.

The latest confirmed case is the first in the NHS Ayrshire and Arran health board area, Health Protection Scotland confirmed.

In total, seven people have now died out of 15 confirmed cases during the outbreak, which began in December. Four people have died in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, which has started to investigate addicts admitted to hospital with serious soft-tissue infections for anthrax.

Anthrax is a deadly bacterial infection which occurs mostly in animals in Asia and Africa. Humans are seldom infected and it is extremely rare for anthrax to be spread from person to person.

Dr Colin Ramsay, consultant epidemiologist at Health Protection Scotland, said: "Heroin users all across Scotland need to be aware of the risk that their supply may be contaminated.

"They should seek medical advice urgently if they experience signs of infection such as redness and swelling of an infection site or high fever.

"I would urge all drug users to stop using heroin and contact local drug services for support.

"In addition, any users who continue to inject heroin are strongly recommended not to re-use filters, but to use a fresh filter each time they are used."

An investigation by health boards, the procurator fiscal and Strathclyde Police is continuing to try to identify the source of the anthrax.

One possibility is that contaminated heroin, or a contaminated agent used to cut the drug, is to blame.

Heroin often comes from countries where anthrax is more prevalent in animals and bone meal, an animal product, is sometimes used as a cutting agent.

Earlier this month, Scottish health officials said that they feared the outbreak could kill up to 50 heroin addicts.

The death toll could match that of a similar case in 2000, when heroin contaminated with the flesh-eating bug necrotising fasciitis killed 43 addicts in Scotland.

It is not known exactly how long symptoms can take to develop following the use of contaminated heroin. However, in most cases during the current outbreak, symptoms started within one to seven days of taking the heroin.