MEDIA RELEASE

Thackray Museum tells the Anthrax story

From a scientific breakthrough in Victorian Yorkshire to the threat of biological warfare


A fascinating and timely new exhibition, 'Anthrax - spreading the facts' opens at Thackray Museum, Leeds, from Tuesday, 11th March, to coincide with the beginning of National Science Week.

The exhibition explores the little-known history and scientific study of anthrax - a naturally occurring disease that has more recently become inextricably linked with the threat of  terrorist attacks and germ warfare.

Anthrax is a disease that mostly affects animals - but in rare cases humans can catch it through contact with diseased animals or animal products. During the Victorian era, hundreds of workers in the Yorkshire wool industry became ill with anthrax, leading doctors to make the ground-breaking discoveries on how to treat and prevent the disease that have since saved lives worldwide.

Today, anthrax is more widely associated with the production and use of biological weapons and debate is currently focused on the possible use of the disease in warfare or terrorist attacks.

'Anthrax - spreading the facts' offers a fascinating insight into the medical research about the disease and asks whether it really is a great risk or just a great newspaper story. Find out what the real threats and effects of anthrax are. The exhibition also puts on show the actual microscope used to investigate the naturally occurring outbreaks of anthrax in the Bradford area over a hundred years ago, alongside a Biological Warfare Detection Kit captured during the Gulf War in 1991. Also included is a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Precautions Kit from NATO intervention/peacekeeping forces deployed in Kosovo in 1999 and a West Yorkshire Fire Service Protection Suit used during investigations into biological or chemical incidents.

In the interactive laboratory area, you can try your hand at working in the safety cabinet, helping to decide on correct treatments, whilst the 'voting board' gives everyone the chance to express their own opinions and read other people's views on the subject.
(Cont 1 / 2)

Thackray Museum tells the Anthrax story (2/2)

'Anthrax - spreading the facts' is aimed at families with older children and adult museum visitors and runs until the end of 2003.  Entrance to the exhibition is included in the admission price for the Museum, which is open daily, 10.00am - 5.00pm.  There is a large car/coach park right outside, for which a small charge is made.

The exhibition has been created with a grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) as part of their work to enhance public access to science.

-ends-


Date of issue: 3rd March 2003

Issued on behalf of Thackray Museum by Bonner & Hindley Communications, 10 New Way, Tranmere Park, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 8JR

Further Information
For more information or images, please contact:
Deborah Hindley, tel/fax 01943 878719, e-mail [log in to unmask]
Sheralyn Bonner, tel/fax 01484 603689, e-mail [log in to unmask] 
Andrew McLaughlin, Press Officer, BBSRC, e-mail [log in to unmask]


This e-mail and any attached files are confidential and are intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed.

This communication represents the originators personal views and
opinions, which do not necessarily reflect those of The Royal College of
Surgeons of England.

If you are not the intended recipient, or the person responsible for
delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be advised that you
have received this e-mail in error, and that any use, dissemination,
forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited.

http://www.rcseng.ac.uk

Registered Charity Number: 212808