Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/...tbreak-of-potentially-fatal-botulis.118466621
Health boards confirm 19 drug users infected in outbreak of potentially fatal botulism
Stephen Naysmith
Social affairs correspondent
Saturday 14 February 2015
Police and health authorities are still investigating a significant botulism outbreak which is suspected too have infected 21 drug users across Scotland since just before Christmas.
The presence of botulism, which can cause paralysis and even death if left untreated, was confirmed by lab tests in 19 of the 21 possible cases, all of whom were admitted to hospital.
Health Protection Scotland, which is working with NHS Boards and Police Scotland to try to contain the outbreak, said the source was believed to be heroin contaminated with clostridium botulinum spores. All of those affected had bought drugs in or sourced them via Glasgow, and injected them, but it is believed no contaminated heroin has yet been seized by police.
The bacteria, not directly harmful themselves, can produce highly poisonous toxins when deprived of air...
Health boards confirm 19 drug users infected in outbreak of potentially fatal botulism
Stephen Naysmith
Social affairs correspondent
Saturday 14 February 2015
Police and health authorities are still investigating a significant botulism outbreak which is suspected too have infected 21 drug users across Scotland since just before Christmas.
The presence of botulism, which can cause paralysis and even death if left untreated, was confirmed by lab tests in 19 of the 21 possible cases, all of whom were admitted to hospital.
Health Protection Scotland, which is working with NHS Boards and Police Scotland to try to contain the outbreak, said the source was believed to be heroin contaminated with clostridium botulinum spores. All of those affected had bought drugs in or sourced them via Glasgow, and injected them, but it is believed no contaminated heroin has yet been seized by police.
The bacteria, not directly harmful themselves, can produce highly poisonous toxins when deprived of air...