Unknown killer

British government scientists have so far failed to confirm or dismiss
anthrax as the killer of heroin addicts in Scotland. Tests had found signs of
anthrax toxin in the blood of two of the victims in a mysterious cluster of addict deaths
(New Scientist, 20 May, p 4).
But as New Scientistwent to press this week, a spokesman for the Centre for Applied
Microbiology and Research at Porton Down said the jury is still out until
further tests are completed.