July 11, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

Drug users warned over Òflesh-eatingÓ bug

LONDON, July 11, Graphic News: Health officials in Glasgow have issued a warning after two cases of a rare and potentially fatal flesh-eating bug were diagnosed among drug users.

Two cases of necrotising fasciitis have come to light in the last week during routine checks of drug addicts after a deadly outbreak of the clostridium bacteria -- which causes tetanus -- killed more than 30 heroin users in the UK and Ireland last year. 

Dr Jim McMenamin from the Greater Glasgow Health Board said: ÒFollowing last yearÕs outbreak we put in place early surveillance measures.Ó

The rare flesh-destroying disease -- necrotising fasciitis (NF) --  is a bacterial infection which attacks the soft tissue and the fascia, the sheath of tissue covering the muscle. NF, which can transport a perfectly healthy person to deathÕs door within days, is caused by a sub-type of the streptococcus bacteria known as Strep-A, a variant of the bacteria which cause sore throats, scarlet fever, blood poisoning and a variety of skin infections.

Injecting drug users are more vulnerable to the illness because it commonly enters the body through broken skin. The bacteria spreads rapidly through the body causing tissue decay, resulting in excruciating pain, dangerously low blood pressure, fever and severe dehydration due to the toxins poisoning the body. The gangrenous tissue must be surgically removed to save the life of the patient. 

If caught early it can be treated with antibiotics, but the bacteria can attack muscle or bone, requiring major limb amputation.

Referring to last yearÕs tetanus fatalities, McMenamin said: ÒWe have taken the unusual step of informing medical services and drug agencies at the earliest opportunity of our investigations before we are certain that a widespread problem exists.Ó

ÒWe would advise drug users not to inject and if their addiction is such that they must take heroin, it should be smoked and not injected.Ó

About 1,000 cases of necrotising fasciitis are diagnosed in the UK each year, with about 60 to 80 proving fatal. 
/ENDS
Source: National Necrotising Fasciitis Foundation