Seven Californians killed by flesh-eating bacteria from black tar heroin, officials say
- Seven people have died from myonecrosis, a life-threatening bacterial infection linked to black tar heroin use
- Nine were hospitalized from October 2 to November 24 ranging in age from 19 to 57 years old and five were male
- One case of wound botulism, when bacteria gets into a wound and creates a dangerous toxin, linked to black tar heroin injection, was reported in October
- Health officials say they are investigating where the black tar heroin came from
Seven people have died in San Diego Country after they contracted a flesh-eating bacterial infection linked to black tar heroin.
From October 2 to November 24, nine people were admitted to the hospital with myonecrosis, a severe life-threatening bacterial infection, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency said in a release on Wednesday.
Patients ranged in age from 19 to 57 years old and five were male.
Officials say they don’t know where the black tar heroin originated from, but they are currently investigating – and warn more cases may occur.
Health officials from San Diego County say nine people were hospitalized with myonecrosis, a life-threatening bacterial infection, linked to black tar heroin use, with seven people dying. Pictured: Black tar heroin seized by the US Drug Enforcement Agency in this file image
Black tar heroin is a sticky substance likened to the tar used to water proof roofs and is mostly produce in Mexico and sold in the western US
It’s dark color come from its faster, cruder process than white heroin. Because of this, impurities can be left behind that result in serious illneses like myonecrosis.
Myonecrosis is a life-threatening bacterial infection that attacks the soft tissue and is caused by Clostridium bacteria.
The bacteria produces toxins that damage blood vessels, form blood clots and force the heart to contract less often.
Additionally, the toxins produce a gas that can become trapped in muscle tissue causing tissue death, which is known as gas gangrene.
Early signs include pain, fever, fatigue and dehydration with later symptoms including swelling, blisters and skin that turns to dark red or purple.
This can lead to limb amputations or death.
It’s a rare infection that affects one in 1,000 to 3,000 people per year in the US, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
The release said one case of wound botulism, also linked to black tar heroin injection, was reported in San Diego County in October.
Wound botulism is a rare but severe illness that occurs when bacteria gets into a wound and makes a toxin.
The toxin attacks the nerves of the body, making it increasingly difficult to breathe, which can lead to death.
Across Southern California, 13 probable and confirmed cases of wound botulism have been reported since September 1.
‘People who use black tar heroin are not only at higher risk of dying from an overdose, but also more prone to developing myonecrosis and wound botulism,’ Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s chief public health officer, said in a statement.
Earlier this year, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that a rise in black tar heroin use during the opioid crisis could lead to more wound botulism cases.
The report stated that 353 cases of would botulism were reported to the CDC from 2001 to 2016, 291 of which were from California – and 15 from San Diego County.
