Anthrax warning over illegal drugs
DRUG users in Galloway are in danger of contracting the killer disease anthrax after the first case was confirmed this week in Dumfries.
On Tuesday, an NHS Dumfries and Galloway official said: "We can confirm that the male was admitted to DGRI last Tuesday, February 16, and transferred for further treatment to Glasgow Royal Infirmary on Sunday night."
This case reflects concerns across Scotland of a continuing stream of anthrax cases in injecting drug users - which now numbers 24 confirmed cases including 10 Scottish.
Now NHS Dumfries and Galloway is warning heroin-users of the risks to their health from continuing to take the drug.
The public health advice is to stop using and to seek advice from harm-reduction and drug services in the area for support.
Dr David Breen, Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: "The fact that a local heroin user has been affected, is, of course, worrying. Our concerns are with ensuring that local heroin users are aware of the risks that they are taking.
"It is vital that, should heroin users notice marked redness or swelling around an injection site or other signs of severe infection such as high fever, they should seek urgent medical advice.
But he added: "Anthrax detected early is highly treatable.
"In relation to the general public they should be reassured that there does not appear to be any direct risk associated with this situation."
The anthrax is believed to come from contaminated heroin supplies.
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 16 C
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