Outbreak of wound botulism in people who inject drugs, Norway, October to November 2013

E MacDonald; T M Arnesen; A B Brantsaeter; P Gerlyng; M Grepp; B Å Hansen; K Jonsrud; B Lundgren; H Mellegård; J Møller-Stray; K Rønning; D F Vestrheim; L Vold

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.es2013.18.45.20630

Outbreak of wound botulism in people who inject drugs, Norway, October to November 2013

Euro Surveill. 2013 Nov 7;18(45):20630. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2013.18.45.20630.

Authors

E MacDonald¹, T M Arnesen, A B Brantsaeter, P Gerlyng, M Grepp, B Å Hansen, K Jonsrud, B Lundgren, H Mellegård, J Møller-Stray, K Rønning, D F Vestrheim, L Vold

Affiliation

¹ Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.

PMID: 24229788
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2013.18.45.20630

Abstract

In October and November 2013, four cases of wound botulism were confirmed in people who inject drugs (PWID) in Norway. Two additional cases are suspected. Because of the international distribution pathways for heroin – the likely source of the outbreak – healthcare workers and public health authorities in other countries should remain vigilant for wound botulism in PWID. This outbreak serves as a reminder that countries should ensure access to botulinum antitoxin in case of outbreak situations.

MeSH terms

Adult
Botulinum Antitoxin / therapeutic use
Botulism / diagnosis*
Botulism / drug therapy
Botulism / epidemiology
Clostridium botulinum / isolation & purification*
Disease Notification
Disease Outbreaks*
Heroin Dependence / complications*
Heroin Dependence / epidemiology
Heroin Dependence / therapy
Hospitalization
Humans
Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
Male
Middle Aged
Norway / epidemiology
Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications*
Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology
Substance Abuse, Intravenous / therapy
Treatment Outcome
Wound Infection / drug therapy
Wound Infection / epidemiology
Wound Infection / etiology

Substances

Botulinum Antitoxin
Immunologic Factors