Doctors in the United Kingdom have been alerted to the symptoms of ricin poisoning after a small amount was found last week when police raided a flat in north London.
The Department of Health alerted the health service on the symptoms of ricin poisoning after police found castor oil beans, from which ricin is extracted, and equipment for crushing the beans at the raided flat. Scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories at Porton Down in Wiltshire identified a small quantity of material found in the flat as ricin.
In a statement sent immediately to all GPs, hospitals, and public health services, the deputy chief medical officer, Dr Pat Troop, said: “The department is now alerting the health service, including primary care, about these developments. It is also ensuring that the health service is able to provide advice to the public, including through NHS Direct… While our message is still alert not alarm, we would reiterate our earlier appeals for the public to remain vigilant and aware and report anything suspicious to police.”
Footnotes
Detailed information on ricin is available at www.phls.org.uk