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| Situation Update No. 1 Ref.no.: EH-20091217-24200-GBR
Situation Update No. 1
On 2009-12-18 at 04:13:18 [UTC]
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Location: United Kingdom Scotland Glasgow
Number of Deads: 1 person(s)
Number of Infected: 1 person(s)
Situation: Scottish health agencies have been placed on alert after a drug user who died in hospital tested positive for anthrax. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the man died in Glasgow’s Victoria Infirmary on Wednesday. A woman being treated there has also tested positive. A second man, who is being treated at treated at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, is being tested for the deadly anthrax bacterium. All three had infections in areas of the body they injected with heroin. Doctors fear more people could die and have ordered tests on every drug user in Scotland who has been treated for infections over the past month. Last night the health board said its public health protection team was working with the Procurator Fiscal and Strathclyde Police to identify the source of the anthrax. One possibility being investigated is that contaminated heroin, or an agent used to cut the drug, may be to blame. Dr Syed Ahmed, consultant in public health medicine, said: “I urge all drug-injecting heroin users to be alert and to seek urgent medical advice if they experience an infection. If you show any symptoms, please seek help immediately.” However, as there is “no significant risk” of the spread of anthrax from person to person, neither the public nor relatives and friends of drugs users are thought to be at severe risk. |  | | | |
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