Guidance
In Scotland in December 2009, an outbreak of anthrax was identified among people who inject drugs (PWID) and resulted in 119 cases of anthrax; 14 of these cases died. Three related cases were also detected in England. In summer 2012, a further five anthrax cases were identified in Germany, Denmark and France; this was followed by seven more cases in the UK. To date, no cases have been identified in Ireland. The aim of this guidance is to assist clinicians in Ireland in clinical and microbiological assessment of suspected cases of infection with B. anthracis in PWID.
Last updated: 26 September 2013
Clinical algorithm: Clinical Evaluation and Management of Drug Users with Possible Anthrax
01, Sep 2013
91.82 KB
Infection with Bacillus anthracis – Injecting Drug Users Potential Presentations and Case Definitions
01, Sep 2013
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Infection Control Precautions during the Clinical Management of Injecting Drug Users with Possible Probable or Confirmed Anthrax
01, Sep 2013
168.49 KB
Laboratory Investigation of Possible Anthrax in Injecting Drug Users
01, Sep 2013
236.73 KB
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Ireland’s specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases.