August 16, 2006

microbiologist reacts to anthrax death in Scotland

A 50 year-old man is believed to have died today in Scotland from the UK’s first case of Anthrax bacteria infection in almost 20 years.

Professor Brian Spratt, Molecular Microbiologist, Imperial College London, said:

“It is extremely rare to get anthrax in UK. The few cases that do occur are almost exclusively in those who work with animal hides. Imported animal hides may have anthrax spores in them which could then be breathed in – causing inhalation anthrax which is almost always fatal. Anthrax can also cause skin infection or lesions that are less serious and respond well to treatment.

“There is no risk of any spread because anthrax is not passed from person to person. This individual appears to have worked with animal hides and so this is absolutely typical of the very few cases we see in the UK. This will have absolutely nothing to do with bioterror and looks like a typical case of naturally acquired anthrax.

“Inhalation anthrax results in a very severe infection of the lung that usually produces a very distinctive pattern on X-rays. Anthrax should be picked up more readily now by hospitals due to increased awareness of bioterror threats.”