(CNN) Seven people in San Diego have died in the last two months from a flesh-eating bacteria associated with black tar heroin use, according to health officials. Nine people who injected the drug were admitted to hospitals in San Diego County with severe myonecrosis between October 2 and November 24, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced in a news release Wednesday. Symptoms often include severe pain near the injection site, swelling, fever, blisters and pale skin that changes to dark red or purple. Another rare illness associated with black tar heroin injection was reported in San Diego County in October, the statement said. It was the county's first confirmed case this year of wound botulism -- a serious illness that attacks the body's nerves.

Source: CNN December 05, 2019 07:41 UTC