A drug user has died from the flesh-eating disease necrotising fasciitis, health officials said today.

A drug user has died from the flesh-eating disease necrotising fasciitis, health officials said today.

Two other cases had been confirmed previously and a further possible case has been identified, said Lanarkshire Health Board.

Both the confirmed cases are in "serious" condition in hospital - one in Glasgow and one in Lanarkshire.

The death, of an adult male drug user, took place on Christmas Eve.

Officials today repeated their warnings to drug users of the dangers of injecting.

Eight years ago a similar outbreak claimed the lives of 43 addicts over six months in Scotland, north-west England, the West Midlands and Dublin.

A fatal accident inquiry found 16 addicts from the Glasgow area contracted the clostridium novyi bug from a contaminated batch of heroin which originated in Afghanistan.

Dr David Cromie, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Lanarkshire, said: "We have advised drug agencies, pharmacists, general practitioners and A&E departments all to be on alert for possible signs and symptoms to ensure early access to treatment.

"However the main message has to be to drug users on the dangers of injecting drugs."

Some forms of injection were "particularly dangerous" and smoking heroin carried less risk than injecting it, he said.

"If there is any pain or swelling around an injection site drug users should seek urgent medical attention.