JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The University of Mississippi Medical Center says there’s been a surge in the number of emergency room visits from people who had used the synthetic drug dubbed spice.

Dr. Alan Jones, chairman of emergency medicine, tells WAPT TV (http://bit.ly/1MJuTAH) the hospital’s emergency room dealt with seven patients over four days this week — and three of those patients had to be admitted to intensive care.

He says the city is dealing with a particularly potent recipe. Jones describes the patients as agitated and combative. Some have had seizures and others were unconscious and vomiting — a bad combination because patients may inhale vomit.

Jones says hundreds of spice-related cases were reported statewide in April, including more than three dozen at UMMC.

• Actor Elliott Street dies at 80

• Masterpieces for Merrehope to celebrate art