Mysterious ‘Ebola-like’ outbreak linked to synthetic marijuana

synthetic

Since March, hundreds of people in the U.S. have come down with horrific, Ebola-like symptoms of bleeding. The initially mysterious cases are now thought to have been caused by synthetic cannabinoid products that were laced with rat poison. And a new report published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine details some of the first cases at the epicenter of the outbreak.

The study looked at 34 patients who were admitted to the Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria [Illinois] from late March to April. The patients arrived at the hospital with common symptoms of blood in their urine, internal bleeding, and crippling stomach pain. Others showed up bleeding from their ears, eyes, or nose.

While synthetic cannabinoids have been known to cause psychosis, breathing problem and even strokes, though, these sorts of symptoms were unheard of. But they can be caused by ingredients found in certain rat poison products, particularly the chemical brodifacoum, a potent blood thinner.

The Food and Drug Administration has previously admitted to the possibility that manufacturers purposefully added rat poison to their supply, hoping to boost the drug’s intoxicating effect. That said, given the black box nature of manufacturing synthetic cannabinoids and other designer drugs (usually in China), there’s also no excluding the possibility of inadvertent contamination.

Read full, original post: Report Offers Disturbing New Details on Deadly Bleeding Outbreak Linked to Synthetic Cannabis

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}
screenshot at  pm

Are pesticide residues on food something to worry about?

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring drew attention to pesticides and their possible dangers to humans, birds, mammals and the ...
glp menu logo outlined

Newsletter Subscription

* indicates required
Email Lists
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.