Scottish Drugs Forum
Skip to Content | Skip to Main Navigation
6 January 2009
TWO injecting drug users have died following an outbreak of necrotising fasciitis among injecting drug users in the West of Scotland, it has been confirmed.
However, a third victim along with a fourth possible case, are still being treated in hospital and are making a gradual improvement. No new cases have yet emerged.
The deaths took place on 24 December and 3 January and the outbreak prompted NHS Lanarkshire to issue a public health warning on 29 December urging injecting drug users not to inject heroin.
Dr John Logan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Lanarkshire said:
“The patients affected may have injected heroin that was contaminated with spores that can cause severe illness.
“We would advise drug users not to inject heroin and warn that muscle-popping, skin-popping, and injecting when a vein has been missed, are particularly dangerous. Smoking heroin carries much less risk than injecting it. If there is any pain or swelling around an injection site drug users should seek urgent medical attention."
Drug agencies, pharmacists, general practitioners and Accident and Emergency departments have been advised to be on alert for possible signs and symptoms to ensure early access to treatment.
Dr Logan said the clinical picture of the cases was similar to that seen in and around Glasgow in 2000.
A similar outbreak that year claimed the lives of 43 injecting drug users over six months in Scotland, north-west England, the West Midlands and Dublin.
A fatal accident inquiry found 16 people from the Glasgow area contracted the Clostridium Novyi bug from a contaminated batch of heroin.
NHS Lanarkshire advice for drug users:
If there is swelling, redness, or pain where someone has been injecting, or pus collects under the skin, go to a doctor to check it out immediately, especially if the infection seems different to others experienced in the past.