News
Anthrax causes death of drum maker
Andy Barrett Nov 3 2008, 9:57am
Imported animal hides thought to be source
The BBC has been reporting this morning (November 3rd) that Fernando Gomez, a folk musician and independent drum maker in Hackney, has died as a result of breathing anthrax spores in the imported skins he used to make the drum heads.
The hospital where Gomez was treated revealed that this was inhalation anthrax, which must be breathed to cause any harm and not the more virulent cutaneous anthrax, which is contracted through the skin. The Homerton University Hospital treated Gomez on Thursday (October 30th), but on Saturday night his condition deteriorated until his death on Sunday afternoon.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is currently conducting an inquiry as to the source of the skins.
Quoted on the BBC website, the HPA’s chief adviser, Professor Nigel Lightfoot, said that neighbours were not in danger, although seven other people had been given courses of antibiotics as a precaution.
"We are, however, keen to reiterate to all individuals who make drums from imported animal skins that there is a risk of coming into contact with anthrax and that they should ensure they are aware of this and take precautions to protect themselves when making these drums," Lightfoot added.
The last time someone died of anthrax poisoning in the UK was when a Scottish drum maker, Christopher Norris, inhaled the poison in 2006. An inquiry into Norris’ death is due to take place in two weeks.
