Man aged 50 dies from anthrax

LONDON – A 50-year-old man has died in Scotland from the deadly toxin anthrax — the first such case there since 1987, health officials said yesterday, stressing that there was little risk to anyone else.

The man, who worked with materials including untreated animal hides, died in July after a short illness and the cause of death has only just been diagnosed. “Anthrax is a very rare disease and generally presents as a skin infection,” Health Protection Scotland said in a statement.”Working with animal hides is known to be a risk factor for acquiring anthrax.””He may therefore have acquired this infection accidentally as a result of inhaling spores during the course of work at his home and not from any other source,” it added.The unnamed man’s home in Hawick in the Scottish Borders region has been sealed off and people who visited it after July 17 are being asked to get in touch with health authorities although anthrax is not a disease passed from person to person.”Anyone who visited the house before July 17, 2006 is not at any significant risk,” Health Protection Scotland said.”However, if they experience ‘flu-like symptoms, dry cough or unusual skin lesions for up to two months after their visit they should seek further medical advice as a matter of precaution,” it added.Nampa-Reuters”Anthrax is a very rare disease and generally presents as a skin infection,” Health Protection Scotland said in a statement.”Working with animal hides is known to be a risk factor for acquiring anthrax.””He may therefore have acquired this infection accidentally as a result of inhaling spores during the course of work at his home and not from any other source,” it added.The unnamed man’s home in Hawick in the Scottish Borders region has been sealed off and people who visited it after July 17 are being asked to get in touch with health authorities although anthrax is not a disease passed from person to person.”Anyone who visited the house before July 17, 2006 is not at any significant risk,” Health Protection Scotland said.”However, if they experience ‘flu-like symptoms, dry cough or unusual skin lesions for up to two months after their visit they should seek further medical advice as a matter of precaution,” it added.Nampa-Reuters