The UK Health Protection Agency has sent an advisory to health service organizations and partners, including needle exchanges, to warn of the new Clostridium contamination in batches of heroin.

In 2001, there were a total of 108 cases – 60 in Scotland, including 50 in Glasgow, 26 in England and 22 in Dublin, including 43 deaths.

Extensive microbiological investigations led to the identification of Clostridium novyi Type A from 13 cases in Scotland, two in Dublin and two in England.
C novyi is most commonly associated with infection in farm animals and human battlefield victims.