Anthrax-Tainted Heroin in Europe Alarms France

by Rajshri on  January 20, 2010 at 8:21 PM Alcohol & Drug Abuse News
  •   Print
  •   Share
  •   Comments
  •  Text 
 Anthrax-Tainted Heroin in Europe Alarms France
Following the death of eight people in two European countries, the French health ministry issued a warning over using heroin contaminated with anthrax.

"Since December 6, there have been 15 confirmed cases of anthrax among heroin users, 14 in Scotland and one in Germany," the ministry's General Directorate for Health (DGS) said in a statement.

"Eight people died," it said. "The likeliest source is heroin contaminated by anthrax spores."

Most of the casualties had injected the heroin, but others also inhaled it or smoked it.

Anthrax is a potentially lethal bacterium that exists naturally in the soil and can also occur among cattle. It is also, more notoriously, a potential bio-terror weapon.

The ministry said the contaminated drug may also be circulating in France and other European countries.

"There is no outward sign or colour enabling the user to tell whether the heroin has been contaminated by anthrax, and contaminated heroin dissolves or is used in the same way as uncontaminated heroin," it said.

Source-AFP
RAS

 Email Email   RSS Feeds RSS Feeds   Print this page Print   Save this page Save   Link Link   Syndicate Syndicate   Comments Comments   Bookmark and Share
 
Comment & Contribute
Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. Comments are normally moderated and are reviewed after they are posted.
* Your comment can be maximum of 2500 characters

Notify me when reply is posted
I agree to the terms and conditions
  
If you have a question about health related issues, you can now post it in our Ask An Expert section on our community website Medwonders.com and get answers from our panel of experts.
X

Medwonders Health Network

  • Health News Index
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
News Archive
Date :
Category :
Keyword :
  • News Quick Links
News Central Health Watch
Latest Health News Health In Focus
News Category (500+) Breaking Health News
Popular News Celebrating Life
Health News and Press Release Medindia - Exclusive
News Photo Gallery India Special
News Video Gallery Lifestyle and Wellness
News From Other Resources
News Categories:  
Men's Health Center

Alcohol & Drug Abuse Related News

» Weight-loss Surgery May Also Help Rid of Alcohol Cravings » Addiction Treatment Guidelines Updated By British Experts
» One in Eight Deaths In Britain Is Caused By Alcohol » Crime Records More in On-Premise Alcohol Outlets Than Off-Premise Alcohol Outlets
» Study Links Modest Alcohol Intake With Less Inflammation in Patients With Common Liver Disease » Higher Resiliency can Protect Against Later Alcohol/Drug Use
» Colombia Forests Nurture Powerful Drug Transforming Folks to 'Zombies' » Overexposure to Cocaine may Lead to Structural Changes in Brain
Read More >>