DRUG USER DIED AFTER TAKING HEROIN CONTAMINATED WITH ANTHRAX

A drug user died after taking heroin contaminated with anthrax, health
officials revealed this morning.

Thomas Forbes, 29, of Loughborough is the fourth heroin user in
England to die after taking a dose of the drug which had somehow
become contaminated with anthrax.

Mr Forbes, who is also known as Tom, died in hospital last
Thursday.

Tests later detected the presence of anthrax in his
system.

The first case in England was reported in London in February this
year. However anthrax-contaminated heroin has been blamed for 13
deaths in Scotland since last December.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and NHS Leicestershire County and
Rutland today urged all heroin users to stop taking the drug and to
seek treatment immediately.

They have also said there is no risk to people who do not take the
drug.

Tim Davies, deputy director of public health at NHS Leicestershire
County and Rutland, said: "While public health investigations are
ongoing, it must be assumed that all heroin in Leicestershire carries
the risk of anthrax contamination.

"I urge all heroin users to be extremely alert to the risks and to
seek urgent medical advice if they experience signs of infection such
as redness or excessive swelling at or near an injection site, or
other symptoms of general illness such a high temperature, chills or a
severe headache or breathing difficulties, as early antibiotic
treatment can be lifesaving.

Leicestershire police has launched an investigation into the
death.

Four Loughborough men, aged 24, 31, 35 and 37, have been arrested in
connection with the incident but have been released on police bail
pending further inquiries.