Pubdate: Sat, 23 Feb 2002 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: 2002 Guardian Newspapers Limited Contact: http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/175 Author: James Meikle HEROIN USERS WARNED OF BOTULISM RISK Drug users have been advised to smoke rather than inject heroin after four people in a month were suspected of having contracted life-threatening botulism. All four are in hospital intensive care units, three in England and one in Scotland, and doctors and local drug services have been warned to look out for other cases. Three at least are known to be injecting drug users. The public health laboratory service recommended extra measures against infection: smoking heroin where possible, and using less citric acid when injecting - this latter could cause damage, making it easier for the botulism bacteria to take hold. Those taking a combination of drugs should also use separate needles, syringes and other equipment. Preliminary results of tests on the four are expected shortly. They are reportedly from different towns or cities, but the possibility of tainted heroinis being investigated. Botulism from wounds is relatively rare. Last year there were three cases and the year before that six. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex