Vado Diamande, a dancer, collapsed during a performance in Pennsylvania a week ago – he had contracted respiratory anthrax, which has a 75% fatality rate, even with the best medical treatment. Fortunately, Diamande seems to be doing better than doctors expected and there is a good chance he will make a recovery.

Diamande is a skilled drum tuner. Many drums are made of raw hide. It seems he became infected after inhaling anthrax spores from the raw hides of drums. Not long ago, Diamande had travelled to Africa to collect some hides. Authorities would like to find out whether he contracted the anthrax in the USA or in Africa.

Officials in Pennsylvania say there is no chance Diamande is a victim of terrorism. Anthrax is thought to be a biological weapon terrorists may use one day.

According to his friends, Diamande had been very ill a couple of years ago with a skin condition. If that was anthrax we don’t know – but he obviously recovered.

Scientists have been checking all the hides in his apartment in New York.

WHAT IS ANTHRAX?

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today