Following reports from Scotland in January and May 2010 about the presence of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax in Heroin, the BBC website reports the death of a drug user in Kent. According to the Health Protection Agency this represents the fifth case of a person becoming ill via this route. The case was described as ‘sad’ by Dr Mathi Chandrakumar from the Kent Health Protection Unit, who added that the risk of person to person spread of this disease, in this particular circumstance was extremely unlikely. Infection with Anthrax is now recognised as one of a number of risks facing intravenous drug users.
Importantly those at risk are advised that people should be vigilant for the symptoms of Anthrax infection. These include swelling and redness around the injection site, general feeling of being unwell such as a raised temperature, chills or a severe headache and breathing difficulties. On a positive note if identified early the infection can often be treated successfully with antibiotics, this can be life saving – but early recognition is the key.
I would completely agree with this assessment. The route of infection in these cases is clear and based around a very specific action. It is completely different to the situation experienced by people who are involved with the processing of hides. In the case of an intravenous drug user, where the heroin appears to be contaminated, the organism is likely to be introduced directly into the bloodstream where vegetative organisms can grow and spores germinate.
More can be read on the BBC Website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-11685984) and the health protection agency website (http://www.hpa.org.uk/ProductsServices/LocalServices/SouthEast/SouthEastPressReleases/Kent/seast101103anthraxupdate/)
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