Botulism in injecting drug users, Dublin, Ireland, November-December 2008

Euro Surveill. 2009 Jan 8;14(1):19082.

Abstract

In November and December 2008, six cases of suspect wound botulism were reported in heroin injecting drug users, all residents in Dublin, Ireland. Patients were aged between 23-42 years of age; four cases were male; one patient died shortly after admission. The patients presented to four different hospitals across the city. Botulism in injecting drug users in Ireland was last reported in 2002.

MeSH terms

  • Botulism / epidemiology*
  • Cities / statistics & numerical data
  • Comorbidity
  • Disease Outbreaks / statistics & numerical data*
  • Drug Users / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology*