Deadly bacteria: six drug users have now died from anthrax
Health authorities have announced another death of a heroin user from anthrax.
The death of the man - who lived in the NHS Forth Valley area - means six drug users have now died in the past month from the deadly bacteria, while there are now 12 confirmed cases across Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Tayside.
A spokesperson from Health Protection Scotland said: "One avenue which continues to be investigated is that contaminated heroin or a contaminated cutting agent mixed with the heroin may be responsible for the infections.
"While heroin users do need to be alert, the risk to the general public is very low. It is extremely rare for anthrax to be passed from person to person and there is no evidence of a significant risk of airborne transmission associated with the current situation."
Dr Colin Ramsay, Consultant Epidemiologist at Health Protection Scotland, added: "The death of this patient in NHS Forth Valley indicates further geographical spread of the cases, meaning that heroin users all across Scotland need to be aware of the risks of a potentially contaminated supply.
"I would urge all users to stop using heroin immediately and contact local drug support services for help in stopping.
"If any heroin users do notice signs of infection, for example marked redness and swelling around an injection site or other signs of serious infection such as a high fever, they should seek urgent medical advice."
Read more information on anthrax here
