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 is an infectious bacterium that can be transmitted through contact with animal skins.

The cases that have appeared in England have not conformed to a pattern such as the cases in Scotland that would appear to be from a particular contaminated batch. Tim Davies, deputy director of public health at NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland, said: "While public health investigations are ongoing, it must be assumed that all heroin in Leicestershire carries the risk of anthrax contamination."

The lack of consistency in the confirmed cases in Britain suggests that there might have been more deaths due to anthrax that were not investigated properly as they were assumed to be simple drug overdoses.

After the deaths of heroin users in Scotland a coroner raised the question of foul play. Dr Knapman said “Have the police considered that there are mischievous people who wish to introduce heroin and kill heroin addicts? If it were, all these deaths are unsolved murders.’ Detective Superintendant Gary Redman responded. We have considered it but there is no evidence of foul play. I have no doubt that the heroin was contaminated by anthrax in the production or transportation when animal hides are used.”

There are 300,000 heroin users in the UK and about 2% die every year from overdoses. In some cases heroin overdose is assumed and the deaths are not investigated sufficiently with no autopsies or post mortems taking place.

There have been many criticisms over UK health authorities response to previous anthrax scares. The advice coming from the government was that heroin users should stop using heroin. Many professionals working with who work with drug use pointed out that the scare highlighted lack of access to opioid substitution therapy in Scotland.

Gareth Balmer, project manager of Addaction Dundee, a support centre said "heroin users don't use heroin for fun; it's a physical and psychological dependency. We have a constant supply of people who would like to access methadone, but we felt as drug workers it was insulting people to say: 'There's possibly anthrax in your heroin; my advice is to stop using.' I was surprised I didn't get punched in the face."

Due to the recent death the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland today urged all heroin users to stop taking the drug and to seek treatment immediately.

If you are concerned about anthrax and heroin you can call the Release helpline on: 0845 4500 215