Monday, April 9, 2018

Health Warning Issued for Synthetic Marijuana Usage Following Outbreak of Severe Bleeding in Other States




The New York State Department of Health has issued a statewide health advisory to hospitals, emergency departments and urgent care centers following severe and life-threatening bleeding cases in Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri. The Governor and DOH are warning health care providers of an outbreak of patients in other states with severe bleeding due to the consumption of synthetic marijuana believed to be contaminated with rat poison. To date, no cases have been reported in New York State.

"The health and safety of New Yorkers is our number one priority," Governor Cuomo said. "While there have been no current reports of these symptoms in New York, we are asking public health officials to keep an eye out and to remind people that this poison is dangerous, unpredictable and seems to be getting more so with each passing year."

As part of the advisory, health care providers are urged to watch for severe bleeding unrelated to an injury, or bleeding without another explanation and with a possible history of synthetic marijuana use.

Click here for the full announcement. 

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo 

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