FEARS OVER CONTAMINATED HEROIN

Four cases of botulism in heroin users in Britain has prompted the National
Disease Surveillance Centre to launch an alert over possible contaminated
heroin circulating in Ireland.

The latest batch of contaminated heroin is not believed to contain the
strain of flesh-eating bacteria which killed eight people in Ireland and 35
in Britain two years ago.

Heroin users should seek immediate medical attention should they develop
unusual symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, speech
paralysis and breathing problems.

British authorities are investigating four suspected cases of wound
botulism, possibly associated with injecting heroin.

There have been no botulism cases in drug users here, but the NDSC believes
the chance of this occurring cannot be ruled out.