slimvictor
Bluelight Crew
Users gear up against anthrax-tainted heroin
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/br...x-tainted-heroin/story-e6frf7jx-1225827994805
From: AAP February 08, 2010 5:53PM
AUSTRALIAN drug users have been warned to be wary of a deadly batch of contaminated heroin that is causing anthrax in the UK and has killed at least eight addicts.
Victoria's chief health officer Dr John Carnie has also issued a warning to the state's doctors to be aware, saying that 14 injecting heroin users in Scotland and one in Germany have contracted anthrax.
Stefan Gruenert, the chief executive of drug rehabilitation centre Odyssey House, says he is aware of the scare and that heroin user groups "are geared up for it happening in Australia".
"They are prepared and we are on the lookout," Mr Gruenert said.
"On the one hand we don't want to spread fear and concern but at the same time people should be informing each other to keep a lookout and be prepared in case it does reach here."
A spokesman for Dr Carnie said his warning was a "purely precautionary measure".
"There is the likelihood, however remote, something like this may occur here," the spokesman said.
In his warning to doctors, Dr Carnie says they should be alert if drug users present with severe soft tissue infection, meningitis or severe sepsis.
Symptoms include chills, headaches and breathing difficulties.
UK experts say contaminated heroin or another powder-like substance used to dilute the drug may be spreading the anthrax outbreak.
UK media reports say the strain of anthrax in Scotland is indistinguishable from that in the German victim, suggesting contamination came from the same batch of heroin.
The batch is also likely to have spread to England, with an unnamed user in London contracting anthrax last week.
The outbreak began in Glasgow in December and, following the latest case, the UK's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it must be assumed all heroin in London also carried the risk of anthrax contamination.
Anthrax is a deadly bacterial infection which affects humans as well as animals such as cattle, sheep and goats, but can also be used as a biological weapon.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/br...x-tainted-heroin/story-e6frf7jx-1225827994805
From: AAP February 08, 2010 5:53PM
AUSTRALIAN drug users have been warned to be wary of a deadly batch of contaminated heroin that is causing anthrax in the UK and has killed at least eight addicts.
Victoria's chief health officer Dr John Carnie has also issued a warning to the state's doctors to be aware, saying that 14 injecting heroin users in Scotland and one in Germany have contracted anthrax.
Stefan Gruenert, the chief executive of drug rehabilitation centre Odyssey House, says he is aware of the scare and that heroin user groups "are geared up for it happening in Australia".
"They are prepared and we are on the lookout," Mr Gruenert said.
"On the one hand we don't want to spread fear and concern but at the same time people should be informing each other to keep a lookout and be prepared in case it does reach here."
A spokesman for Dr Carnie said his warning was a "purely precautionary measure".
"There is the likelihood, however remote, something like this may occur here," the spokesman said.
In his warning to doctors, Dr Carnie says they should be alert if drug users present with severe soft tissue infection, meningitis or severe sepsis.
Symptoms include chills, headaches and breathing difficulties.
UK experts say contaminated heroin or another powder-like substance used to dilute the drug may be spreading the anthrax outbreak.
UK media reports say the strain of anthrax in Scotland is indistinguishable from that in the German victim, suggesting contamination came from the same batch of heroin.
The batch is also likely to have spread to England, with an unnamed user in London contracting anthrax last week.
The outbreak began in Glasgow in December and, following the latest case, the UK's Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it must be assumed all heroin in London also carried the risk of anthrax contamination.
Anthrax is a deadly bacterial infection which affects humans as well as animals such as cattle, sheep and goats, but can also be used as a biological weapon.
