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HAWICK, Scotland, Aug 17, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A Scottish artist who worked with untreated animal skins has become the first person in more than 30 years to die in the United Kingdom from anthrax.
Christopher "Pascal" Norris died last month after becoming infected with anthrax spores suspected to have come from the imported skins he used to make drums, sculptures and decorative artifacts, The Independent reported.
Health authorities Wednesday sealed Norris's home where he lived along near Hawick, Scotland, while they searched for anthrax spores.
Officials told the newspaper the death was an isolated case and there was no danger to the general public.
Norris became ill early last month and died July 8 after developing septicemia. Physicians said laboratory tests indicated anthrax as the most likely cause.
Anthrax -- an acute infectious disease -- most commonly occurs in animals such as cattle, sheep and goats, which become infected after ingesting the spores in soil, The Independent said. The disease can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals.
The last case of anthrax in Britain occurred in 1987 and involved a girl who recovered. The last known death was in 1971.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
