Heroin users' anthrax alert

HEALTH chiefs have warned of the chance of anthrax poisoning hitting Lothians heroin users.

Eleven cases have been confirmed in Scotland – in Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Tayside – and five people have died as a result.

Dr Colin Ramsay, a consultant epidemiologist at Health Protection Scotland, said: "Evidence now suggests that potentially contaminated heroin may be in circulation in other parts of Scotland, not just the Glasgow area."