Pubdate: Wed, 06 Oct 1999 Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA) Copyright: 1999 Mercury Center Contact: http://www.sjmercury.com/ SOME TAR HEROIN CARRIES DEADLY FORM OF BOTULISM OAKLAND - Health officials have warned hospitals about a potentially deadly form of botulism injected into the body along with tar heroin. Doctors in Oakland and Hayward worked Tuesday to save the lives of four people suffering from so-called "wound botulism." Botulism affects the nervous system, eventually causing paralysis. "There are lots of ways of getting botulism, but these look like they are results of contaminated drugs," said Dr. Barry Simon, who treated cases at Highland Hospital. :"The bacteria likes to live in the tar heroin, usually from Mexico." Compiled from staff and wire reports by Mercury News Staff Writer Kaye Ross. Contact her at or (408) 920-5083. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D