Health officials will examine the home and workshop of a drum-maker who has died after inhaling anthrax.

Fernando Gomez, who is thought to have inhaled the spores while handling imported animal skins, died in hospital yesterday with his wife and family around him.

The 35-year-old, from Hackney, east London, had been in the intensive care unit of the Homerton University Hospital, London, since he was taken ill last week.

Mr Gomez’s flat was sealed off by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) for examination and checks are also taking place at his workshop, which is also in the borough.

Seven other people who had been in the room where the skins were prepared were given antibiotics as a precautionary measure and the HPA said nobody else had developed any symptoms.

Professor Nigel Lightfoot, the HPA’s chief adviser, said residents who live near the flat or workshop are not at risk.

“It is important to stress that it is the making of animal skin drums that is the risk for coming into contact with anthrax rather than playing or handling drums,” he said.

“We are, however, keen to reiterate to all individuals who make drums from imported animal skins that there is a risk of coming into contact with anthrax and that they should ensure they are aware of this and take precautions to protect themselves when making these drums.”

Jules Pipe, the mayor of Hackney, said: “It is through making these drums that exposure to and inhalation of anthrax spores on an imported animal hide occurred.

“This is an extremely rare case and this type of anthrax cannot be passed from person to person.”

The last death of this kind in Britain was in 2006 when Christopher Norris, 50, a craftsman from Stobs, near Hawick in Scotland, died after inhaling anthrax.

Mr Norris made artworks and musical instruments, including drums. A report from NHS Borders published in December last year said it was likely Mr Norris contracted the illness after playing or handling anthrax-contaminated West African drums at a drumming workshop.

A fatal accident inquiry into his death is due to take place on November 18 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The HPA said there is a very low risk from playing contaminated drums.

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