France's Health Ministry has sounded warning bells after as many as 8 people died and 7 fell seriously ill across two European nations, after using heroin which had been contaminated by anthrax.

"Since December 6, there have been 15 confirmed cases of anthrax among heroin users, 14 in Scotland and one in Germany. Eight people died. The likeliest source is heroin contaminated by anthrax spores", the Ministry's General Directorate for Health said.

While most of the people who died had injected the drug, there were some who had smoked or inhaled it.

Anthrax is a highly dangerous bacterium that naturally exists in soil and can also occur among cattle. Also, more dangerously, it is a potential bio-war weapon, and very lethal.

The Ministry has now expressed concerns that the contaminated heroin might be circulating across France and other European nations as well.

"There is no outward sign or color enabling the user to tell whether the heroin has been contaminated by anthrax, and contaminated heroin dissolves or is used in the same way as uncontaminated heroin", the Ministry said.