Anthrax

Death by drug policy

When Anthrax is mentioned in the news it is normally in connection with a supposed terrorist plot. Last December though, an outbreak of the disease in Scotland was linked to a contaminated supply of heroin.

In total, it was estimated that the infection claimed 14 lives with approximately 119 other confirmed cases. Although the majority of those infected were from the Glasgow area, cases were also reported as far south as Kent and there was even one infection as far away as Germany.

    Anthrax contamination must now be considered an ongoing risk of heroin use

    The anthrax outbreak in Scotland this year is considered to be over after taking the lives of 13 heroin users. There were 47 confirmed cases.

    There has continued to be cases and deaths in England leaving the team tackling the outbreak to conclude that there is an 'ongoing risk' to heroin users despite there being no new cases in Scotland since July.

    Dr Colin Ramsay, Consultant Epidemiologist and chair of the Outbreak Control Team, has the following advice for heroin users:

      Another anthrax heroin death

      Heroin infected with anthrax has claimed its first victim in Kent. The victim was admitted to hospital over the weekend and was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon. She was a 37 year old woman who was an injecting drug user.

        Anthrax contaminated heroin death in Leicestershire

        News surfaced today of another death caused by anthrax contaminated heroin, this time in Leicestershire, UK.  The 29 year-old male from Loughborough died on Thursday. Subsequent tests confirmed the presence of Anthrax in the man’s body. A contaminated batch of heroin earlier this year was blamed for the deaths of 13 heroin users in Scotland and there have been 47 other confirmed cases of anthrax-contaminated heroin including one case in Germany. There have been other suspected anthrax cases in England but in some cases the death has been caused by botulism.

          Anthrax infected heroin cases spread to the continent

          In the wake of seven confirmed deaths and a further 14 infections in Scotland, health authorities in Germany suspect that a 24 year old male has also died due to anthrax poisoning. The man was admitted to hospital on December 6th after injecting himself with heroin and later died of multi-organ failure on December 13th. Although the death was not originally thought to be anthrax related a wound swab taken on December 18th revealed anthrax spores.

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