Anthrax in heroin scare - third case confirmed in England

A third case of anthrax has been found in an injecting drug user in England, health authorities said today.

Confirmation of a second case in London follows the announcement last month of the death of an unnamed user from Blackpool.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and NHS London said the latest case was being treated in a London hospital.

They said in a statement: "This is the third case of anthrax seen in an injecting drug user in England since similar cases were first seen in Scotland in December 2009.

"Twenty-four cases have so far been confirmed in Scotland and one in Germany.

"Similarities to the cases in Scotland suggest that the heroin, or a contaminated cutting agent mixed with the heroin, is the likely source of infection."

Dr Rachel Heathcock, from the HPA in London, said: "We are working closely with NHS London to monitor the situation. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission with any of the recent cases and I'd like to reassure people that the risk to the general population, including close family members of the infected patient, is negligible. It is extremely rare for anthrax to be spread from person-to-person.

"While public health investigations are ongoing, it must be assumed that all heroin in London carries the risk of anthrax contamination.

"Heroin users are advised to cease taking heroin by any route, if at all possible, and to seek help from their local drug treatment services.

"Heroin users in London are strongly encouraged, as soon as possible, to find out more about the support services in their area. They can be put in touch with local drug services and receive advice by contacting Talk to Frank."

Professor Lindsey Davies, regional director of public health from NHS London, said: "I urge all heroin users in London to be extremely alert to the risks and to seek urgent medical advice if they experience signs of infection such as redness or swelling at or near an injection site or other symptoms of general illness such a high temperature, chills or a severe headache, as early antibiotic treatment can be lifesaving. This is a very serious infection for drug users and prompt treatment is crucial.

"Drug injecting is an extremely risky and dangerous practice and users are vulnerable to a wide range of infectious diseases, both from the action of piercing the skin, and from contaminants in the drugs that they use.

"Health professionals and drug action teams in England had already been alerted to the situation in Scotland in December and we will continue to work closely with colleagues who work with drug users to monitor probable cases and raise awareness of the risks."

Anthrax is a deadly bacterial infection which occurs mostly in animals in Asia and Africa.