US EXPERTS STUDY MYSTERY DEATHS OF DRUG ADDICTS

HEALTH officials investigating a mystery illness responsible for the death
of 11 heroin users have turned to a world-renowned disease control
department for help.

Tissue samples from the dead addicts have been sent to the Centre for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, US, for testing.

One of CDC's senior epidemiologists, Dr Jai Lingappa, is in Glasgow to try
and establish the cause of the outbreak.

A total of 25 heroin users in the city have been affected by the outbreak
which has hit addicts who inject the drug.

On Thursday it emerged that five heroin users died in similar circumstances
in Dublin. Irish health officials are now looking closely at the Glasgow
outbreak to establish whether there is a link.

Dr Laurence Gruer, a consultant in public health medicine for Glasgow
Health Board, welcomed the involvement of the American centre.

He said: "The CDC is the world leader in investigating unexplained
outbreaks of disease. They have offered their full co-operation. One of
their senior epidemiologists is here to help plan further investigations.

Another drug injector died in Glasgow on Thursday, said the health board,
but a spokesman said it was too early to link the death to the outbreak.

Scientists warned the illness could be linked to anthrax, but this was
ruled out earlier this week.