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 motaman
old hand
Registered: 12/18/02
Posts: 5,813
Last seen: 2 years, 3 months
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 Alarm over anthrax-tainted heroin [Re: motaman]
#11858513 - 01/19/10 08:56 AM (2 years, 4 months ago) |
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Alarm over anthrax-tainted heroin
The health ministry in France has issued a warning after eight people died and seven fell sick in two European countries from using heroin contaminated by anthrax.
"Since December 6, there have been 15 confirmed cases of anthrax among heroin users, 14 in Scotland and one in Germany," the ministry's General Directorate for Health (DGS) said in a statement.
"Eight people died," it said. "The likeliest source is heroin contaminated by anthrax spores."
Most of the casualties had injected the heroin, but others also inhaled it or smoked it.
Anthrax is a potentially lethal bacterium that exists naturally in the soil and can also occur among cattle. It is also, more notoriously, a potential bio-terror weapon.
The ministry said the contaminated drug may also be circulating in France and other European countries.
"There is no outward sign or colour enabling the user to tell whether the heroin has been contaminated by anthrax, and contaminated heroin dissolves or is used in the same way as uncontaminated heroin," it said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/20/2796364.htm?section=world
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motaman
old hand
Registered: 12/18/02
Posts: 5,813
Last seen: 2 years, 3 months
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 Another victim claimed by anthrax-contaminated heroin [Re: motaman]
#11884999 - 01/23/10 12:19 PM (2 years, 4 months ago) |
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Another victim claimed by anthrax-contaminated heroin
Published Date: 23 January 2010
By CRAIG BROWN
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
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.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/news/Another-victim-claimed-by-anthraxcontaminated.6007988.jp
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Freedom
Will swim for food
Registered: 05/26/05
Posts: 4,457
Last seen: 52 minutes, 10 seconds
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Re: Another victim claimed by anthrax-contaminated heroin [Re: motaman]
#11885448 - 01/23/10 01:50 PM (2 years, 4 months ago) |
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Someone should talley up all the deaths caused by prohibition.
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