The Eastern Regional Health Authority has denied reports that a new case of the mysterious heroin-related illness was expected to be confirmed today in the region.
A spokeswoman said the situation was under review but there had been no changes in the number of patients identified. Currently 15 cases had been confirmed in the Dublin area, of whom eight have died. None of Dublin's major hospitals has reported any new cases. Thirty-one addicts in Ireland and Britain have died from the condition.
It emerged over the weekend that 14 injecting drug-users in England and Wales were suffering from a similar illness, of whom seven had died. The death toll in the Glasgow area is now 14, with the latest death confirmed on Saturday. Two others have died in the north-east of Scotland.
This follows an announcement by Greater Glasgow Health Board that officials are now closer to identifying the fatal illness.
It said microbiologists now suspected the illness was caused by a type of anaerobic activity, which occurs without oxygen. This is likely where heroin is injected directly into muscle or skin rather than into a vein. Anaerobic bacteria cause botulism, tetanus and gas gangrene. Experts originally thought the illness could be anthrax but that was ruled out last week.
The illness initially manifests itself as an abscess on the skin but gradually inflames and attacks muscle and tissue. Victims suffer a septicaemia-type illness and need intensive care, but some have died from multiple organ failure within hours.
Microbiologists from the Atlanta Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, the leading specialists in unusual illnesses, are in Dublin assisting the ERHA.
Both Irish and US experts have also consulted English and Scottish medical personnel.
