SOME TAR HEROIN CARRIES DEADLY FORM OF BOTULISM

OAKLAND - Health officials have warned hospitals about a potentially deadly
form of botulism injected into the body along with tar heroin.

Doctors in Oakland and Hayward worked Tuesday to save the lives of four
people suffering from so-called "wound botulism." Botulism affects the
nervous system, eventually causing paralysis.

"There are lots of ways of getting botulism, but these look like they are
results of contaminated drugs," said Dr. Barry Simon, who treated cases at
Highland Hospital. :"The bacteria likes to live in the tar heroin, usually
from Mexico."

Compiled from staff and wire reports by Mercury News Staff Writer Kaye Ross.
Contact her at kross@sjmercury.com or (408) 920-5083.