A member of the Kotchegna Dance Company which performed at Mansfield last Thursday, February 16, has been diagnosed with anthrax.
Health officials have determined this to be an isolated case involving only the artist.
The artist, from New York City, is stable at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. There is no danger to campus or community members.
For more information on the anthrax situation check online at http://www.mansfield.edu/news/story/default.cfm?SID=756
Again, there is no danger to campus or community members.
David Werner Interim President
Background:
The artist travels to Africa each year to collect animal skins that he tans and uses for his drum heads. Health officials believe that he inhaled anthrax spores while working on the skins during the tanning process in his shop in New York City.
Health officials say that the tanning process kills the anthrax spores and the drums that the artist used during the performance were not contaminated.
Health officials also say that this type of anthrax is not spread by touch.