Killer Djembe`s Anthrax !!!!!

[Congadelica]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk:80/news....114.xml

[Gallichio]

I have heard this. It is sad.

[korman]

That is really unfortunate! I think in the US there was a case when the artist survived the infection.

I wonder what can you do to prevent this.

[BMac]

I've seen news on this subject before. Typically, the victim is a practitioner of some sort ... a drum maker ... importer ... and gets infected from his own stock and materials. I've often told myself that my level of exposure, being a hobbyist, is too minimal to worry.

I comfort myself with statements like this:
The drum maker in NYC mechanically removed the hair from untanned animal hides using an electric razor in a small and poorly ventilated workspace and without respiratory protection. This process can aerosolize spores present on the hides. Therefore, this appears to be an isolated case of naturally occurring anthrax.
I found that statement at:
http://www.wwdrums.com/anthrax-on-afric ... -a-17.html
I don't think it relates to the story brought to our attention by Congadelica.

I have friends who sand their djembe heads after shaving ... to remove the stubble. I've done that ... but outdoors and wearing a filter mask. When I recently applied a jig saw to a conga head (for my flaming drum sculpture that will debut at drumSTRONG in May), I was reminded that machining skin creates nasty odor and dust unlike sawdust ... skin dust is a little too uncomfortably organic ... it's disgusting, don't breathe that stuff. It would take some experience to suppress gagging and wretching. I don't know how those guys work with skin dust in poorly ventilated conditions without filters. But apparently they do. I learned to work in high-ammonia environments when I was a kid stripping wax floors ... didn't think it was possible at first ... but one adapts.

The story brought to our attention by Congadelica may have shattered my comfort. It looks like the victim may have been quite involved in drum craft, but picked up the infection from one time contact with someone else's stock. That's a worrisome story.

Has anyone seen any material out there regarding how to de-contaminate skins and drums as a safety precaution?

Sunshine?
Bleach? (I hate the idea of getting bleach anywhere near a skin or a drum though)

Here is some general de-con info, it's not directed to drums or skins:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheet ... tsheet.htm

Vaporized hydrogen peroxide is mentioned, but I don't like that statement that only hard surfaces can be effectively decontaminated. Evidently, anthrax spores are buried in contaminated skins ... they are released into the air when the skin is machined ... and possibly merely played.

So, if anybody has any de-con advice ... let's hear it. I got nothing ... I'm tempted to start spraying any imported African skins with peroxide, but that's a form of bleaching. I haven't found anything suggesting that sunshine helps.

I'm not aware that typical conga players have any worries about anthrax. It's never congas in the stories ... it's always djembes.

Cheers and Thanks
BMac

[seisporocho1]

I am starting to wonder how serious this should be taken!
I work with skins all the time. I mount skins for congas and bongos in Miami. I've many times worked with skins with cuts in my hands from a previous gig.
Am I supposed to start wearing gloves, and masks etc??!
I'm surprised no one's responded to BMac's questions...

peace

[Isaac]

There's a difference between the naturally occuring bacteria - Anthracis
which is formed as a bacterial mold/spores on animal skins, and the more infamous
lab created anthrax. Anthracis need not be lethal.

I know Vado Diamande, the West African drummaker
here in NYC who contracted anthracis.. He's done some beautiful work for many djembe players here
and some personal work for me. He's a good associate of JCR, and we make
his djembe rings for him. On one trip back home to Africa, he picked up a moldy piece of goatskin(with hair) from the ground.
(mistake #1 ) Upon his return (it was already was dry) he picked it up to begin
working with the skin. Immediately a cloud of green powder blew off the hide's hair.
He had a bad reaction instantly when he inhaled it, and checked himself into the hospital
right away - which saved him. They took him to a special unit in PA,
where he was treated for a few weeks. It's a rare occurrance that
is not likely in skins with the hair already removed, where anthracis spores may
latch onto to the hair of djembe skins.

The hair removal process for conga & bongo skins, whether cow, mule or water buffalo,
has already taken care of bacteria. The commercial skins just go a few steps further in
their chemical treatment. I''ve visited a few tanneries of different sizes last winter and it was very enlightening
seeing how it's done. Those plants must be very careful to remove the wet leftover remnants
and are subject to strict hazardous waste removal codes.

I handle skins on a regular basis, and always make sure to wash my hands
after. I would not be afraid when it comes to the kinds of skins we handle.
keeping them dry is important if you're storing them for the future.
~ ISAAC

Here's some decent info blog that explains much about it:

http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAweb ... 5733752819

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5723a3.htm

[seisporocho1]

Whewww!!! That article was exactly what I needed to read! Thanks Isaac.

I don't deal with hides that still have hair on them so that protects me even more.

For all you skin freaks, bookmark the source of the 1st link Isaac sent so you can spread the word to others alike. Media can definitely make things worse if one is not fully informed!!

Now back to skinning!!!!

[jorge]

I agree with that article from the Health Protection Agency in the UK referenced by Isaac above. Anyone who works with animal skins that still have hair on them should read the article to get a good sense of the very very low risk. If you are only around skins with no hair on them, there is no known risk of anthrax infection, I have never heard of a single case. Thanks, Isaac.

[Mike]

As I read in the informative previous posts, the Anthrax issue does not seem to be confined to African cow skins only.

Now I am a bit frightened: I just got a cow skin in the mail someone brought me from Cuba - and there are some patches of hair on it!
Not on the playing surface, OK there are some tiny stubbles, but on the other side that is not played.
I am worried now: Does this skin mean a potential danger when mounting?
Should I sand off the hair after mounting or rather not in order to prevent any inhalation of the fine dust?
I tried to take some pics:

Can anyone help me out, please?

Any input is highly appreciated!
Mike

[Isaac]

Anthracis spores would be a light green powdery mold - an airborne fungus that is the telltale sign.
It would also have an extremely noxious smell (mouldy) ...but then most goat does stink a bit.
I think for bongos & congas most of our fears are
unnecessary. Any problems would already have arisen at
the tannery level where the pros know what they're doing,
and must answer to health codes. Tannery waste
is an official biohazard, and is subject to strict guidlines.
Imported skin (in bulk) must also be checked by customs.

I can't vouch for Cuban skins, but from my one & only trip there,
the medical & health awareness was impressively high-tech in spite
of their poverty. The drums and skins were mainly mediocre.
Ironically, all the best players were wanting
our stronger commercially made congas..but will basically play anything
and make it sound good. Thick or thin it didn't seem to matter
- they adjust their touch..and think musically. We're the fussy
ones ....and they have a very deep knowledge base.


~ ISAAC

[Fueesor217]

Banned