HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.24.21 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;Cook, Robin;Hironimus, Patrizia;
Kimmelshue, Tod;Lucero, Debra;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Reaster, Kayla;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;
Sweeney, Kathleen;Teeter, Doug;Cox, Erin;McSpadden, Elaine;Nicholas, Jodi;Putnam, Jodi;Soderstrom,
Monica;Star, Nanette
Cc:York, Danette
Subject:For Immediate Release: Possible Wound Botulism from Injected Black Tar Heroin Under Investigation
Date:Friday, September 24, 2021 12:47:34 PM
The following press release will be issued shortly…
FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE
September 24, 2021
PossibleWound Botulismfrom InjectedBlackTar HeroinUnder
Investigation
BUTTECOUNTY,Calif.–ButteCountyPublicHealth(BCPH)isinvestigatinga
caseofwoundbotulisminaButteCountyresidentwho injected drugs, including
black tar heroin.Laboratory test results to confirmthediagnosis are pending.The
sourceoftheheroinisunknownatthistime. Black tarheroinhasbeenlinkedto
otherwoundbotulism cases and outbreaksininjectiondrugusers,sothereis
concernthatlocallyavailableblacktarheroinmaybe contaminated.
California has the highest rate of wound botulism in the United States. This is the
third case reported in Butte County this year.
Since 2016, there have been 22 to 59 cases of wound botulism annually in
California.Woundbotulismoccurswhenawoundbecomesinfectedwith
Clostridiumbotulinum(thecauseoffoodbornebotulism)or acloselyrelated
Clostridiumbacterium.Thebacteriamultiplyinthewoundand create atoxinthat
actsonthenerves.Most,butnotall,peoplewithwoundbotulismwillhavea
visiblyinfectedwound.Personsinjectingblacktarheroinintotheirmuscles
(“muscling”)orundertheir skin(“skinpopping”)are athighestriskofwound
botulism.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.
TO REDUCE RISK OFWOUNDBOTULISM:
Stopinjectingdrugsandseektreatment foropioidaddiction:
www.buttecounty.net/behavioralhealth/substanceuse.aspx
Do notuseblacktarheroin. Use of blacktarheroinisthedrug thatmost
oftenresults inwoundbotulism.
“Cooking” thedrugandsafeinjectionpracticeswillpreventother blood
borne infections,butwill NOTpreventwoundbotulism.
BUTTECOUNTYPUBLICHEALTH DEPARTMENTACTIONS:
Issuedahealth advisorytoareaproviders to promoterapid diagnosisand
reporting.
Conductedoutreach andprovided information tohomelessshelters, drug
treatment facilities,andotherlocationsthatserve personswhomaybeatrisk
ofwoundbotulism.
Alertedthepublicthroughamediarelease.
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