NYC man accidentally exposed to anthrax

[cal04]

just heard the mayor he said it was isolated

A Manhattan man has been hospitalized after inhaling anthrax, but officials believe it was accidental and not related to terrorism. The man traveled recently to the west coast of Africa and became ill shortly after his return, said a federal law enforcement official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The official said the anthrax may have been on animal skins.

It was not clear how the man came into contact with the deadly substance, but mayor's aides said it was related to his job and that federal and city officials traced the exposure to New York City after the man became ill in
Pennsylvania. Reports stated that investigators have not yet determined exactly how the man, who works in Brooklyn, was exposed. It was reported that he works with animal hides to make musical instruments.

Authorities have sealed off areas at a Manhattan storage facility and a warehouse in Brooklyn.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly were expected to discuss the case at a City Hall news conference. Aides to the mayor said only the one man was injured, and was recovering in a hospital in Sayre, Pa. Officials stressed that the case is unique and not related to any kind of intentional attack.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/am-anth0223,0,4242573.story?coll=ny-nycnews-headlines

[truthisfreedom]

1. hmm. so where did these musical instruements end up?

[seriousstan]

3. Peace drums

[Warpy]

2. Anthrax spores are all around us in the soil

and cutaneous anthrax (the skin disease) used to be called "wool sorter's disease" because people who worked with sheep and fleeces were at high risk for contracting it.

Inhaled anthrax has always been very rare because the spores have a thick, waxy protein coating that makes them adhere to skin and fur and too heavy to inhale. Weaponizing the anthrax is dedicated to removing that coating, not an easy process, at all.

Since this guy had extensive exposure to animal hides, this is probably one time they're telling the truth.

[NorthernSpy]

4. very true

Anthrax has been encountered sporadically by people working with livestock since forever. They vaccinate the animals against it now, and have done for years. It's not considered to be easy for people to catch the disease.

"Weaponized" anthrax is very different to the wild pathogen.