IrishMedicalNews

No anthrax heroin infection cases reported in Ireland

Written by Lloyd Mudiwa Monday, 08 February 2010 12:24

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There have been no cases of the often fatal anthrax identified in heroin users in Ireland so far, the Health Protection Surveillance (HPSC) has confirmed, despite fears illicit drug trade links between Scotland; which has so far experienced an increasing number of cases, and Ireland could result in some contaminated batches finding their way onto our shores.

Since the first week of December 2009, public health authorities in Scotland have identified 19 cases with seven deaths due to the very rare but serious infection.

In addition, Germany is now reporting the death of a male heroin user with no identified links to Scotland.
Public health specialist with the HPSC; Dr Paul McKeown stated: “There have been no cases of anthrax infection identified in Ireland or in any other countries except those mentioned.”

However, the HPSC is requesting that those with close contacts with heroin users be aware of the signs of potential infection.

Clinically, signs and symptoms for injecting drug users (IDUs) include marked swelling and redness at an injection site, which may or may not be painful, abscess or ulcer at an injection site, and the person may also have fever, headache or nausea, Dr McKeown said in the latest issue of Epi-Insight.

If the person has been smoking heroin they may develop a flu-like illness, which leads to breathlessness.
Extensive skin lesions (often with swollen or blackened surrounding areas), or a history of sudden collapse or severe influenza-like symptoms in sudden death of an IDU may mean that anthrax is a possibility, said Dr McKeown.