News
05 February 2010
A DRUG injecting heroin user has tested positive for anthrax and is being treated in a London hospital.
This is the first case of anthrax seen in an injecting drug user in England since similar cases were first seen in Scotland in December 2009, the Health Protection Agency said.
And while public health investigations are ongoing, it must be assumed that all heroin in London carries the risk of anthrax contamination, the director of the HPA Dr Brian McCloskey has said.
Some 19 cases have so far been confirmed in Scotland.
The HPA said that similarities to cases in Scotland suggested the heroin or a contaminated cutting agent mixed with the heroin, is the likely source of infection.
Dr Brian McCloskey, director of the Health Protection Agency in London, added: "There is no evidence of person to person transmission in this case 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 and there has been no evidence of a significant risk of airborne transmission associated with the current situation in Scotland."
Professional Lindsey Davies, regional director of public health from NHS London, said: "This a very serious infection for drug users and prompt treatment is crucial.