A London-based drum-maker who apparently contracted anthrax from imported animal skins is in a "serious but stable" condition in Hackney's Homerton Hospital, the Hackney Gazette reports.
The unnamed victim, said to be Spanish by the Gazette, was diagnosed with the disease on Saturday, and samples were sent to the Porton Down chemical weapons lab for analysis. While health chiefs have stressed there is "no risk to the public", experts from the laboratory will next week enter the workshop to assess the premises for possible decontamination.
Professor Nigel Lightfoot, Chief Advisor at the Health Protection Agency, said: "This patient makes and then plays animal skin drums for a living. It is through making these drums that exposure to and inhalation of anthrax spores on an imported animal hide has taken place. The risk to others who play these drums is very low. It is the process of removing the animal hairs during the making of drums that can put people at risk."
Back in 2006, 50-year-old Christopher Norris from the Scottish Borders died of the disease after "playing or handling West African drums". An enquiry concluded that he'd succumbed to inhalation anthrax - the first such case seen in the UK for over a century.
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis - commonly seen in cattle, sheep and goats. Infected animals can pass it to humans, but it is not transmitted between people.
i wouldn't say anthrax is common - but the risk lies in imported hairy skins from overseas. The spores are very resistant and, if inhaled, germinate rapidly in an ideal breeding ground. It used to be a hazard for people working in the fur trade, but modern treatment methods should eliminate it. It is also easily cured by a specific antibiotic if diagnosed soon enough.
In my previous incarnation, working in veterinary pathology, we did once have a suspected case to deal with - it was panic in the streets, but we took the advised prophylactics, and am still here to tell the tttttttttttttttttt
anthrax
anthrax
not really trad related, but this may help you deter any random goat whackers you come across.
from theregistry
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/30/london_anthrax_case/
A London-based drum-maker who apparently contracted anthrax from imported animal skins is in a "serious but stable" condition in Hackney's Homerton Hospital, the Hackney Gazette reports.
The unnamed victim, said to be Spanish by the Gazette, was diagnosed with the disease on Saturday, and samples were sent to the Porton Down chemical weapons lab for analysis. While health chiefs have stressed there is "no risk to the public", experts from the laboratory will next week enter the workshop to assess the premises for possible decontamination.
Professor Nigel Lightfoot, Chief Advisor at the Health Protection Agency, said: "This patient makes and then plays animal skin drums for a living. It is through making these drums that exposure to and inhalation of anthrax spores on an imported animal hide has taken place. The risk to others who play these drums is very low. It is the process of removing the animal hairs during the making of drums that can put people at risk."
Back in 2006, 50-year-old Christopher Norris from the Scottish Borders died of the disease after "playing or handling West African drums". An enquiry concluded that he'd succumbed to inhalation anthrax - the first such case seen in the UK for over a century.
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis - commonly seen in cattle, sheep and goats. Infected animals can pass it to humans, but it is not transmitted between people.
# Posted on October 30th 2008 by rumpole
Re: anthrax
I thought this was going to be about trains in the US of A.
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: anthrax
bb - had to read that twice before I got it!!
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by Mark Harmer
Re: anthrax
There's an Aussie drum-maker who skins road kill kangaroos -- but
I don't think 'roos carry anthrax
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by Hup
Re: anthrax
He should use the traditional Irish dog skins instead of cheap goat skins from the middle east where Anthrax is endemic!
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by swisspiper
Re: anthrax
Thought this was a bit thrash metal for a folk forum!
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by Njal
Re: anthrax
i wouldn't say anthrax is common - but the risk lies in imported hairy skins from overseas. The spores are very resistant and, if inhaled, germinate rapidly in an ideal breeding ground. It used to be a hazard for people working in the fur trade, but modern treatment methods should eliminate it. It is also easily cured by a specific antibiotic if diagnosed soon enough.
In my previous incarnation, working in veterinary pathology, we did once have a suspected case to deal with - it was panic in the streets, but we took the advised prophylactics, and am still here to tell the tttttttttttttttttt
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: anthrax
tttttail.
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: anthrax
.....or tale !
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: anthrax
Wow, not what I expected at all.
I'm with Njal, I thought there was a new Speed Metal/Trad crossover going on, Scott Ian finding his ethnic roots or something.
# Posted on October 31st 2008 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: anthrax
The drummaker sadly died now, may he rest in peace!
# Posted on November 5th 2008 by swisspiper