BS: Drums Blamed for Anthrax Infection

Subject: RE: BS: Drums Blamed for Anthrax Infection
From: GUEST,999
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 10:23 PM

Everyone always blames the drummer!

Subject: RE: BS: Drums Blamed for Anthrax Infection
From: GUEST,mark-s(on the road)
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 10:02 AM

Yes.
In cooperation with the gas companies who pipe high explosive into your home.

Subject: RE: BS: Drums Blamed for Anthrax Infection
From: Paul Burke
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 06:34 AM

The electrical outlet bit worries me. Are the utilities distributing death through the mains supply?

Subject: RE: BS: Drums Blamed for Anthrax Infection
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 05:15 AM

With the exception of this being the first US case reported (recently) involving an intestinal infection, there isn't any real news in the report. The more common infections apparently are "pulmonary" caused by inhaling spores of anthrax.

The spores themselves are not really uncommon in most places where there are large numbers of agricultural and feral animals.

Those of us who might handle "primitively cured" skins, as makers and/or users of "drummish apparati" should at least continue being aware of the risks. Using "reputable sources" for materials has generally been a sufficient protection; although "suprises" have popped up a few times in the fairly recent past.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Drums Blamed for Anthrax Infection
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 03:09 AM

Hmmmm. Yeah I had read or heard about the infected skins used for drum heads a year or more ago. It was an African drum session as well.

More recently we have 5 cases in the UK (3 died) who have anthrax from tainted heroin.

Subject: BS: Drums Blamed for Anthrax Infection
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 01:33 AM

There have been a couple of previous threads about the possibility of anthrax infection from crudely processed skins used in drum (and banjo) heads.

A news-bit that just popped up may be of interest, although probably not worth a lot of discussion.

Anthrax vaccine, antibiotics offered to 80 in US

[quote]

Authorities investigate nation's first known case of gastrointestinal anthrax

The Associated Press
updated 5:49 p.m. CT, Tues., Dec . 29, 2009

CONCORD, New Hampshire - Antibiotics and vaccines are being offered to about 80 people in the state of New Hampshire as authorities investigate America's first known case of gastrointestinal anthrax.

Officials still don't know how the woman contracted the disease but are focusing on a drum circle gathering she attended last month. She was diagnosed Saturday.

Officials have shut down the United Campus Ministry center in Durham, where anthrax spores have been found on two drums and an electrical outlet. They said Tuesday that vaccines and antibiotics will be available to people who attended the event or live or work in the building.

Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, an adviser to the state's public health division, says one theory is that the spores became airborne through vigorous drum playing, and the woman swallowed them.

[end quote]

So don't lick your drums - or electrical outlets.

John