Two African drums stored at the United Campus Ministry in Durham have tested positive for anthrax, the state confirmed yesterday as it continues to investigate the nation's first known case of gastrointestinal anthrax.

The young woman with the disease, who attended a drum circle at the center, remains in critical condition, state Public Health Director Jose Montero said.

The state ordered the ministry, which serves but is not part of the University of New Hampshire, closed for further testing. As many as 30 drums are stored at the 15 Mill Road building.

Terrorism doesn't cause anthrax outbreaks, drum circles do. Which should, of course, be no surprise.

I've often wondered why anthrax is supposed to be treated with Cipro. Presuming this stuff isn't weaponized, isn't anthrax actually pretty tame? Like, shot of penicillin, chicken soup, and cable TV as a course of treatment tame.

Cipro's gotta cost more, too, so that's making someone happy. I wonder if it costs more than HP inkjet ink, which, as a matter of fact* costs more by volume than penicillin and human blood combined.

*FACT