- Hello Jeff - I have been following this for months now
and thus far, you are the only one who posted the articles. The mainstream
hasn't even mentioned this one. Sure, I know drug addicts aren't very
sympathetic in the eyes of the public. However, someone has a supply of
anthrax and is using it. How long before that person uses it on another
group of people?
-
- Anthrax in anything, whether it is in drugs, illegal
or prescribed, is dangerous to all.
-
- Now we have two more people hospitalized in Dumfries,
Scotland bringing the number of deaths in Scotland to 10. There have been
other Anthrax deaths in Europe and England. Germany had cases of Anthrax
as well. Clearly, all of Europe is at risk.
-
-
- Patty
-
- ANTHRAX, HUMAN - UK
-
- Date: 10 Mar 2010 Source: Dumfries & Galloway Standard
(edited)
-
-
- Another 2 heroin addicts from Dumfries are being treated
in hospital for anthrax. A man and woman, both in their 30s, are the latest
victims of an outbreak that has so far killed 10 drug users in Scotland.
The man was admitted to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary on 28 Feb
2010 and the woman admitted on 5 Mar 2010 [These are the D&G cases
2 and 3.]. The region's 1st anthrax victim, a 44-year-old Dumfries man,
has been receiving treatment in hospital for almost a month.
-
- Hugh Robertson, of the region's Integrated Drugs Service,
said similarities to the 26 [sic, 23 outside D&G] other confirmed cases
in Scotland suggest that the heroin, or a contaminated cutting agent, is
the likely source. He said: "The 44-year-old male victim and the 31-year-old
female victim are known to the Integrated Drugs Service. At some point
in the past they have been in treatment for their drug use." Mr Robertson
says it may claim more victims. "Obviously I hope it does not affect
anybody else from Dumfries and Galloway or the rest of the country, but
you never know. This is the 3rd case of anthrax seen in an injecting drug
user in Dumfries since similar cases were 1st seen in Scotland in December
2009, and it wouldn't surprise me if more cases were identified."
-
- Several heroin users have already contacted the drugs
service, which helps addicts kick the habit. "We usually deal with
around 3-4 referrals a week. However, we are now experiencing around 10
a week, which has been brought on by the latest anthrax scare," Mr
Robertson said. He is urging all heroin users to be extremely alert to
the risks and seek urgent medical advice if they experience signs of infection
such as redness or swelling at or near an injection site. "Other symptoms
include a high temperature, chills or a severe headache," he warned.
"Early antibiotic treatment can be lifesaving. This is a very serious
infection for drug users, and prompt treatment is crucial."
-
- Mr Robertson said it was extremely rare for anthrax to
be spread from person to person and urged heroin users to play it safe
by not injecting the drug.
-
- http://www.dgstandard.co.uk/dumfries-news/2010/03/10/two-mor
e-heroin-addicts-in-hospital-for-anthrax-51311-25996282/
-
- _____
-
- Communicated by: ProMED-mail promed@promedmail.org
-
- As was expected, we are going to see new cases every
5-7 days until it stops. - Mod.MH
-
- Patricia A. Doyle DVM, PhD Bus Admin, Tropical Agricultural
Economics Univ of West Indies Please visit my "Emerging Diseases"
message board at: http://www.emergingdisease.org/phpbb/index.php Also
my new website: http://drpdoyle.tripod.com/ Zhan le Devlesa tai
sastimasa Go with God and in Good Health
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