NEW CASE OF HEROIN ILLNESS DENIED

The Eastern Regional Health Authority has denied reports that a new case of
the mysterious heroin-related illness was expected to be confirmed today in
the region.

A spokeswoman said the situation was under review but there had been no
changes in the number of patients identified. Currently 15 cases had been
confirmed in the Dublin area, of whom eight have died. None of Dublin's
major hospitals has reported any new cases. Thirty-one addicts in Ireland
and Britain have died from the condition.

It emerged over the weekend that 14 injecting drug-users in England and
Wales were suffering from a similar illness, of whom seven had died. The
death toll in the Glasgow area is now 14, with the latest death confirmed
on Saturday. Two others have died in the north-east of Scotland.

This follows an announcement by Greater Glasgow Health Board that officials
are now closer to identifying the fatal illness.

It said microbiologists now suspected the illness was caused by a type of
anaerobic activity, which occurs without oxygen. This is likely where
heroin is injected directly into muscle or skin rather than into a vein.
Anaerobic bacteria cause botulism, tetanus and gas gangrene. Experts
originally thought the illness could be anthrax but that was ruled out last
week.

The illness initially manifests itself as an abscess on the skin but
gradually inflames and attacks muscle and tissue. Victims suffer a
septicaemia-type illness and need intensive care, but some have died from
multiple organ failure within hours.

Microbiologists from the Atlanta Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
in the US, the leading specialists in unusual illnesses, are in Dublin
assisting the ERHA.

Both Irish and US experts have also consulted English and Scottish medical
personnel.