Anthrax Cases Found in Scotland and the United States

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Jan 4, 2010 in Health

By Richard Ivan Cronkhite.

A string of anthrax attacks have hit drug users in Europe. 6 were sickened and three have died. An isolated case of Anthrax also occurred in New Hampshire, USA

Scotland has reported a number of anthrax infections in heroin users. Officials are urging caution to any users.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Public Health Protection Unit are continuing to work closely with NHS Lanarkshire, the procurator fiscal's office and Strathclyde Police to identify the source of the anthrax. One avenue, which continues to be investigated by Public Health and Strathclyde Police is that contaminated heroin or a contaminated cutting agent mixed with the heroin may be responsible for the infections.

Anthrax was also found in the United States this week, but appears to be a unique isolated incident. An individual who attended an African drum circle at the campus of United Campus Ministry's Waysmeet Center in Durham, NH has come down with gastrointestinal anthrax. All samples from that incident, including that taken from one of the hides of the animal drums, are the same strain, and therefore this appears to be an isolated incident.

Investigators are working to track down historical information about the anthrax strain. "It does attest to how rare it is," Talbot said. Talbot said the public is not in danger. Anthrax cannot be spread between people.

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Anthrax Cases Found in Scotland and the United States

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