Pubdate: Fri, 26 May 2000 Source: Irish Examiner (Ireland) Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 2000 Contact: http://www.examiner.ie/ Bookmark: additional articles on Heroin may be found at http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm MYSTERY ILLNESS LINK TO DEATHS An unexplained severe illness may be responsible for the deaths of seven heroin users since the beginning of this month. A total of 14 addicts have been admitted to hospitals in Dublin with the mystery illness since May 1. The cases all appear to be similar to the recent Glasgow cluster of heroin deaths believed to be caused by contaminated heroin. The ERHA's department of public health wants to establish if the cases share common risks and to determine the cause of the illness. The authority is also working with gardai and linking with the National Disease Surveillance centre in Dublin and the Scottish authorities to probe any potential connections between the cases. Heroin users who notice an abscess or significant redness or swelling at an injection site are urged to seek medical help immediately. They are also being advised to seek immediate medical help if they develop any unusual or unexpected effects or illness. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder