Anthrax Contaminated Heroin Update

Eleven people have now died from injecting heroin contaminated with Anthrax; a further 12 people have fallen ill but recovered. The contamination was first identified in December and is suspected to have come from heroin produced in Afghanistan. Contaminated batches still seem to be circulating in the UK and possibly also in Germany.

Anthrax is caused by infection with Bacillus anthracis - a Gram positive spore forming rod bacteria most commonly found in Asian/African hoofed animals. Contamination can arise from contact with infected soil or animal skins. This is only the second time Anthrax has ever been recorded as contaminating drugs (the first being Norway in 2000).

For More Info:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/340/feb15_1/c937