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Man who breathed in anthrax dies | Man who breathed in anthrax dies |
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A drum-maker who inhaled anthrax spores while handling imported animal skins at his workshop has died in hospital. | A drum-maker who inhaled anthrax spores while handling imported animal skins at his workshop has died in hospital. |
Fernando Gomez, 35, from Hackney in east London, had been in the intensive care unit of Homerton University Hospital for more than a week. | Fernando Gomez, 35, from Hackney in east London, had been in the intensive care unit of Homerton University Hospital for more than a week. |
A hospital spokesman confirmed he died from inhalation anthrax not cutaneous anthrax and said his family were with him when he died. | A hospital spokesman confirmed he died from inhalation anthrax not cutaneous anthrax and said his family were with him when he died. |
Seven other people have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure. | Seven other people have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure. |
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it is attempting to trace where the infected skins originated. | The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it is attempting to trace where the infected skins originated. |
A hospital spokesman said his condition had deteriorated overnight and that he died on Sunday afternoon. | A hospital spokesman said his condition had deteriorated overnight and that he died on Sunday afternoon. |
Flat sealed off | Flat sealed off |
The HPA has sealed off his flat in Hackney and will examine his workshop this week. | The HPA has sealed off his flat in Hackney and will examine his workshop this week. |
Its chief adviser, Professor Nigel Lightfoot, said residents who live near the flat or workshop are not at risk. | Its chief adviser, Professor Nigel Lightfoot, said residents who live near the flat or workshop are not at risk. |
He stressed the risk for coming into contact with anthrax comes from the making of animal skin drums not playing or handling them. | He stressed the risk for coming into contact with anthrax comes from the making of animal skin drums not playing or handling them. |
He said: "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." | He said: "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." |
Jules Pipe, the mayor of Hackney, said: "This is an extremely rare case and this type of anthrax cannot be passed from person to person." | Jules Pipe, the mayor of Hackney, said: "This is an extremely rare case and this type of anthrax cannot be passed from person to person." |
The last death of this kind in Britain was in 2006 when Christopher Norris, 50, a craftsman from Stobs, near Hawick in Scotland, died after inhaling anthrax. | The last death of this kind in Britain was in 2006 when Christopher Norris, 50, a craftsman from Stobs, near Hawick in Scotland, died after inhaling anthrax. |
Mr Norris made artworks and musical instruments, including drums. | Mr Norris made artworks and musical instruments, including drums. |
A report from NHS Borders published in December last year said it was likely Mr Norris contracted the illness after playing or handling anthrax-contaminated African drums. | |
A fatal accident inquiry into his death is due to take place on 18 November at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. | A fatal accident inquiry into his death is due to take place on 18 November at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. |