{"id":10297,"date":"2025-03-01T14:07:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/dhan325\/"},"modified":"2025-03-02T00:52:22","modified_gmt":"2025-03-02T05:52:22","slug":"dhan325","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/php\/alerts\/dhan325\/","title":{"rendered":"php\/alerts\/dhan325 ~  Division of Public Health &#8212; Health Alert  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\n\n\n\n  <br>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\"> \n\n    <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\n\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\n\n      <a accesskey=\"L\" class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&#038;lang=en_us&#038;readid=main_content&#038;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/php\/alerts\/dhan325.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\n\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\n\n      <\/a>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\n\n\n\n    \n\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\n\n      <h1>Delaware Health Alert Network #<!--[type=EDIT name=\"DHAN Number\"]-->325 <!--[END]--> <\/h1>\n\n      <h2> <!--[type=EDIT name=\"DHAN Date\"]-->May 21, 2014 2:27 pm <!--[END]--> <\/h2>\n\n    <\/header>\n\n  <\/div><br>\n\n \n\n  <div class=\"container\">\n\n    <div class=\"row\">\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\n\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\n\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\n\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\n\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\n\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\n\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\n    <li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &#038; 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Wellness<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthyhomes.html\">Healthy Homes<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthywp.html\">Healthy Workplaces<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/lab\/labs.html\">Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/feir.html\">Restaurant Inspections<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/screen.html\">Screening and Testing<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/chca\/dphwichominf01.html\">WIC<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesadd.html\">Additional Services<\/a><\/li><li>\n      <\/li><\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#InformationMenu\"><h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n        <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"InformationMenu\">\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">A-Z Fact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/pubreportsaz.html\">A-Z Publications &#038; Reports<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/diseasesandconditions.html\">Diseases &#038; Conditions<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/faq.html\">FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/alerts.html\">Health Alerts<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthylifestyles.html\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hipaa.html\">HIPAA<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/regs.html\">Regulations<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/forms.html\">Request Forms<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/links.html\">Links &#038; Resources<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"http:\/\/delaware.gov\/help\/foia_request.shtml\">FOIA Request Form<\/a><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n    <li><a id=\"SocialMenuHeader\"><h2>Connect <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-o-up fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\n      <ul id=\"SocialMenu\">\n        <li class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DEPublicHealth\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Division of Public Health Facebook Page\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Delaware_DHSS\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Delaware Health and Social Services Twitter Account\"><i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Twitter<\/a><\/li>\n        <!-- <li class=\"googleplus\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-google-plus-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Google +<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"flickr\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-flickr fa-lg\"><\/i> Flickr<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"youtube\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-youtube-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Youtube<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"instagram\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-lg\"><\/i> Instagram<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"linkedin\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Linkedin<\/a><\/li>\n        <li class=\"pinterest\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-pinterest-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Pinterest<\/a><\/li> -->\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n              <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n\n        <\/div><br>\n\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-9\" id=\"main_content\"> \n\n  \n\n<h2 class=\"center\">Health\n\n<!--[type=EDIT name=\"DHANType\"]-->\n\n\n\n   Alert<!--[END]-->\n\n<br>\n\n<!--[type=EDIT name=\"DHAN Heading\"]-->\n\n\n\nSIX DELAWARE DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO FENTANYL-LACED HEROIN<!--[END]-->\n\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]-->\n\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  Summary\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has confirmed five additional overdose deaths related to fentanyl-laced heroin, bringing the\n\n\n  total to six deaths in Delaware this year, with five of those in a two-week period. According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental\n\n\n  Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the effects of overdose occur quickly, and critical minutes may be lost in the emergency room\n\n\n  because fentanyl is not detected in routine toxicology screenings.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  Background\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  Fentanyl, a schedule II synthetic painkiller that is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, is often mixed with heroin to produce a\n\n\n  stronger high, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl-laced heroin has been blamed for dozens of deaths\n\n\n  across the United States this year, including 28 confirmed deaths in Philadelphia during March and April. This year, Maryland,\n\n\n  Connecticut, Rhode Island and Michigan have also reported fentanyl-related overdose deaths.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  The Delaware deaths involved four men and two women, ranging in age from 28 to 58. Four deaths occurred in New Castle County, and two in\n\n\n  Sussex County. Five of the individuals were Delawareans, and one was from Maryland. During the last outbreak of fentanyl-tainted heroin\n\n\n  overdoses in 2006, Delaware had seven confirmed deaths.\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  Recommendations\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  According to SAMHSA, immediate treatment for overdose is necessary:\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<ul>\n\n\n  <li>Fentanyl-related overdoses can result in sudden death through respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, severe respiratory depression,\n\n\n  cardiovascular collapse, or severe anaphylactic reaction.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>Routine toxicology screens for opiates will not detect fentanyl. Some labs can test for fentanyl when specifically requested.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>Because these drugs in combination can be lethal if action is not taken promptly, suspected overdoses should be treated rapidly with\n\n\n  a Naloxone (Narcan) injection. For adults, the typical dose of Naloxone (Narcan) is 0.4 to 2 mg\/dose IV\/IM\/subcutaneously. The dose may\n\n\n  be repeated every 2 to 3 minutes as needed. In the appropriate settings and where the facilities exist, naloxone can also be given as a\n\n\n  continuous IV infusion. Therapy may need to be reassessed and a different diagnosis considered if no response is seen after a cumulative\n\n\n  dose of 10 mg. Bear in mind that naloxone can precipitate immediate narcotic withdrawal symptoms as overdose symptoms are reversed.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>Physicians can help ensure ready access to Naloxone. Consider prescribing Naloxone when you give certain patients their initial\n\n\n  opioid prescription. Patients who are candidates for Naloxone kits include those who are:\n\n\n    <ul>\n\n\n      <li>Taking high doses of opioids for long-term management of chronic pain\n\n\n      <\/li>\n\n\n      <li>Discharged from emergency medical care following opioid intoxication or poisoning.\n\n\n      <\/li>\n\n\n      <li>At high risk for overdose because of a legitimate medical need for analgesia, coupled with a suspected or confirmed history of\n\n\n      substance abuse, dependence, or non-medical use of prescription or illicit opioids.\n\n\n      <\/li>\n\n\n      <li>Completing mandatory opioid detoxification or abstinence programs.\n\n\n      <\/li>\n\n\n      <li>Recently released from incarceration and are past users or abusers of opioids. These individuals presumably have high opioid\n\n\n      tolerance as well as a high risk of relapse to opioid use.\n\n\n      <\/li>\n\n\n    <\/ul>\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>Note:\u00a0 Naloxone is <em>not<\/em> effective in treating overdoses of benzodiazepines (such as Valium, Xanax, or Klonopin),\n\n\n  barbiturates, amitriptyline, GHB, or ketamine.\u00a0 It also is not effective in overdoses of stimulants, such as cocaine and\n\n\n  amphetamines (including methamphetamine and Ecstasy). However, if opioids were taken in combination with any of these sedatives or\n\n\n  stimulants, naloxone may be helpful.\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h3>\n\n\n  For further information\n\n\n<\/h3>\n\n\n<ul>\n\n\n  <li>Refer to the \u201cFentanyl SAMHSA letter to physicians\u201d and fact sheet at: <a href=\"http:\/\/buprenorphine.samhsa.gov\/20130715114030811.pdf\">http:\/\/buprenorphine.samhsa.gov\/20130715114030811.pdf<\/a>\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n  <li>Refer to the SAMHSA Opioid Overdose TOOLKIT at: <a href=\"http:\/\/store.samhsa.gov\/shin\/content\/SMA13-4742\/Overdose_Toolkit_2014_Jan.pdf\">http:\/\/store.samhsa.gov\/shin\/content\/SMA13-4742\/Overdose_Toolkit_2014_Jan.pdf<\/a>\n\n\n  <\/li>\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  ************************************\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  You are receiving this email because you are a registered member of the Delaware Health Alert Network. If you are not a member and would\n\n\n  like to subscribe, please register at <a href=\"https:\/\/healthalertde.org\">https:\/\/healthalertde.org<\/a>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  \u00a0\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  <br>\n\n\n  <\/p><p class=\"smalltext\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.adobe.com\/products\/acrobat\/readstep2.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Download Adobe Acrobat Reader\" height=\"21\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/dhss\/img\/getacro60.gif\" width=\"60\"><\/a> Please note: Some of the files available on this page are in Adobe PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.  A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded directly from <a href=\"http:\/\/www.adobe.com\/products\/acrobat\/readstep2.html\">Adobe <\/a>. If you are using an assistive technology unable to read Adobe PDF, please either view the corresponding text only version (if available) or visit Adobe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/access.adobe.com\">Accessibility Tools page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n  \u00a0\n\n\n<\/p><!--[END]-->\n\n  \n\n        <div class=\"panel panel-danger\">\n\n          <div class=\"panel-heading\">    \n\n      <h2>Categories of Health Alert messages:<\/h2>\n\n       <\/div>\n\n       <div class=\"panel-body\">\n\n      <ul>\n\n        <li><strong>Health Alert:<\/strong> Conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention.<\/li>\n\n        <li><strong>Health Advisory:<\/strong> Provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action.<\/li>\n\n        <li><strong>Health Update:<\/strong> Provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action.<\/li>\n\n            <\/ul>\n\n         <div><strong>NOTE: This page is for informational purposes only and dated material (e.g. temporary websites) may not be available.<\/strong><\/div>\n\n          <\/div> \n\n        <\/div><br>  \n\n\n\n      <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\n\n  <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen Delaware Health Alert Network #325 May 21, 2014 2:27 pm Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &#038; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &#038; Water Quality Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &#038; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &#038; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":9294,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10297","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10297"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10297\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11473,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10297\/revisions\/11473"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}