Drummaking Site Clear of Anthrax

The Dumbo apartment where Vado Diomande, the dancer/ drum-maker now stricken with inhalation anthrax, was teasted negative for anthrax, leading health officials to tell three people to stop taking antibiotics (seven people who had been in contact with Diomande or his work space and apartment were given them as a preventative measure). Diomande is in "fragile" condition at a Pennsylvania hospital. The City's Health Commissioner, Thomas Friedan, emphasized that this is an "extremely rare event," and that people are safe. Gothamist wonders if customs is being more vigilant with checking people's bags now, given the theory that Diomande - as well as many other people - do not claim untreated animal hides when they enter the U.S.