Health officials in Wash. state warn of contaminated cocaine
SEATTLE -- Cocaine is inherently dangerous, but there's some going around that's proving to be even more so.
King County health officials are warning that at least three people have been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries likely caused by use of cocaine contaminated with levamisole -- a drug commonly used to treat animals.
Levamisole contamination of some cocaine has previously been reported across the United States, Canada, and globally over the past two to three years.
It affects anyone who snorts, smokes, or injects contaminated crack or powder cocaine. Once in the body, levamisole attacks white blood cells, leaving a person's immune system decimated and unable to fight infections. Those affected can develop overwhelming, rapidly developing, and life threatening infections.
That's what doctors think happened to the three patients in Seattle -- one required extensive surgery and another had medical bills over $100,000.
"You can't tell if the cocaine or crack is contaminated with levamisole by looking at it," said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Don't take a chance and risk your life."
The health agency's Dr. Bob Wood says tests conducted by the Drug Enforcement Agency show as much as 20-25 percent of cocaine supply is contaminated.
Health officials said levamisole is likely added to the cocaine product at the point of production outside of the United States, though it is not understood why.
Symptoms in persons using cocaine contaminated with levamisole include: High fever, chills or weakness, swollen glands, infections or sores in the mouth, skin, or anus, white coating of the mouth, tongue or throat (thrush), or pneumonia, which includes cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
King County health officials are warning that at least three people have been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries likely caused by use of cocaine contaminated with levamisole -- a drug commonly used to treat animals.
Levamisole contamination of some cocaine has previously been reported across the United States, Canada, and globally over the past two to three years.
It affects anyone who snorts, smokes, or injects contaminated crack or powder cocaine. Once in the body, levamisole attacks white blood cells, leaving a person's immune system decimated and unable to fight infections. Those affected can develop overwhelming, rapidly developing, and life threatening infections.
That's what doctors think happened to the three patients in Seattle -- one required extensive surgery and another had medical bills over $100,000.
"You can't tell if the cocaine or crack is contaminated with levamisole by looking at it," said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "Don't take a chance and risk your life."
The health agency's Dr. Bob Wood says tests conducted by the Drug Enforcement Agency show as much as 20-25 percent of cocaine supply is contaminated.
Health officials said levamisole is likely added to the cocaine product at the point of production outside of the United States, though it is not understood why.
Symptoms in persons using cocaine contaminated with levamisole include: High fever, chills or weakness, swollen glands, infections or sores in the mouth, skin, or anus, white coating of the mouth, tongue or throat (thrush), or pneumonia, which includes cough, fever, and shortness of breath.