Answer
Jonathan became infected with Bacillus anthracis as a consequence of his drumming. B. anthracis generates endospores which can last in soil for up to six decades. Grazing animals, and those who handle the hides and hide products of grazing animals, are therefore susceptible to infection. Jonathan uses djembe drums, the skins of which come from dried West African goat hide. The dust particles on these drum skins became airborne when Jonathan drummed, and if these hides were illegally imported and thus not properly checked, then B. anthracis endospores would be contained within this airborne dust which Jonathan inhaled, leading to his infection.
Work Step by Step
1. Bacillus anthracis can form endospores which last in soil for up to six decades.
2. Though B. anthracis is rare in humans, grazing animals and those who handle the hides of grazing animals are susceptible to infection.
3. Jonathan is a drummer, and the skins of his drums come from dried West African goat hide.
4. When Jonathan plays on these drums, the dust particles on the drum skins become airborne.
5. If the skins were illegally imported, and thus not properly checked, then there could be B. anthracis endospores contained along with these dust particles.
6. As Jonathan played on his drums, he would have inhaled these dust particles, and also the endospores of B. anthracis. This caused his infection.
