HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.17.20 For Immediate Release_ Possible Wound Botulism from Injected Black Tar Heroin Under Investigation
From:Almaguer, Lisa
To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Lambert, Steve;Lucero, Debra;
McCracken, Shari;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;Rodas, Amalia;Sweeney, Kathleen;
Teeter, Doug;York, Danette;Bernstein, Robert;Lewis, Linda;Miller, Brandy
Subject:For Immediate Release: Possible Wound Botulism from Injected Black Tar Heroin Under Investigation
Date:Tuesday, November 17, 2020 10:36:23 AM
The following press release will be issued shortly…
FORIMMEDIATERELEASE
November17,2020
PossibleWound Botulismfrom InjectedBlackTar HeroinUnder
Investigation
BUTTECOUNTY,Calif.–ButteCountyPublicHealth(BCPH)isinvestigatinga
caseofwoundbotulisminaButteCountyresidentwho inject drugs, including
black tar heroin and meth.Laboratory testingto confirmthediagnosisispending.
Thesourceoftheheroinisunknownatthistime. Black tarheroinhasbeenlinked
to otherwoundbotulismoutbreaksininjectiondrugusers,sothereisconcernthat
locallyavailableblacktarheroinmaybe contaminated.
An increase in wound botulism, likely associated with black tar heroin use, is
occuring in multiple areas of the state. This is the first case in Butte County since
2018.
Anaverageof 10casesofwoundbotulismarereportedeachyear inCalifornia.
WoundbotulismoccurswhenawoundbecomesinfectedwithClostridium
botulinum(thecauseoffoodbornebotulism)or acloselyrelatedClostridium
bacterium.Thebacteriamultiplyinthewoundand create atoxinthatactsonthe
nerves.Most,butnotall,peoplewithwoundbotulismwillhaveavisiblyinfected
wound.Personsinjectingblacktarheroinintotheirmuscles(“muscling”)or
undertheir skin(“skinpopping”)are athighestriskofwoundbotulism.
Personswithwoundbotulismcannottransmittheillnesstoothers.
Symptomsofwound botulismoccurwithin daysorweeksofinjecting
contaminateddrug andmaybemistakenfor drugoverdose.Symptoms can
includeweakor droopingeyelids, blurred ordoublevision, drymouth,sorethroat,
slurredspeech,troubleswallowing,difficultybreathing, and a progressive
symmetricparalysis thatbegins atthefaceandhead and travelsdown thebody.If
leftuntreated,symptomsmayprogress toparalysisoftherespiratorymuscles,
arms,legs,and trunkwithsubsequentdeath.Promptdiagnosisandtreatmentis
critical todecreasingtheseverityanddurationofillness.Anyinjectiondrugusers
withsymptomsofwoundbotulism shouldseekmedicalattentionimmediatelyat
thenearestemergencyroom.
Healthcare providers should immediately report any suspected cases of botulism
to BCPH. BCPH will facilitate testing and the acquisition of antitoxin treatment.
TOREDUCERISKOFWOUNDBOTULISM:
Stop injecting drugs and seek treatment for opioid addiction:
www.buttecounty.net/behavioralhealth/substanceuse.aspx
Do not use black tar heroin. Use of black tar heroin is the drug that most
often results in wound botulism.
“Cooking” the drug and safe injection practices will prevent other blood
borne infections, but will NOT prevent wound botulism.
BUTTECOUNTYPUBLICHEALTHDEPARTMENTACTIONS:
Issued a health advisory to area providers to promote rapid diagnosis and
reporting.
Conducted outreach and provided information to homeless shelters, drug
treatment facilities, and other locations that serve persons who may be at risk
of wound botulism.
Alerted the public through a media release.
###
Lisa Almaguer
Communications Manager / PIO
BUTTE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
202 Mira Loma Drive | Oroville, CA 95965
T: 530.552.4000 | D:
COVID-19 Call Center: 530.552.3050 Open 8 am-5 pm, M-F
“Nationally Accredited, 09/13/17”
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