| Four lab workers in the United States and up to 22 overseas have been put in post-exposure treatment, a defense official said, following the revelation the U.S. military inadvertently shipped live anthrax samples in the past several days. CNN learned on Wednesday a Maryland-based lab received the live samples, which prompted an across the board urgent review to see whether any other live anthrax has been shipped. Officials are concerned because samples left over at the lab in Dugway, Utah, where the samples originated, were tested and determined to contain live agent. Dozens being treated Dozens being treated 02:50 PLAY VIDEO The shipments, thought to be dead, were shipped under less rigorous conditions than the live agent protocol. NBC News reported that the anthrax was sent via FedEx. Company spokesman Jim McCluskey wouldn't directly confirm the report. "FedEx is committed to the safe transport of all customer shipments, and our priority is the safety of our employees," he said. "We will be working closely with the Department of Defense and the Centers for Disease Control to gather information about these shipments." Science experts told the Defense Department there was no risk to the public from shipping in those containers. However, four workers across the nine states that received the shipments have been put on post-exposure treatment, because they handled samples. Pentagon spokesman, Col. Steve Warren, said one sample was also sent to the Joint United States Forces Korea Portal and Integrated Threat Recognition Program at Osan Air Base in South Korea. "The sample was destroyed in accordance with appropriate protocols," Warren said. Up to 22 people in a training laboratory were exposed, according to a statement from the base. "All personnel were provided appropriate medical precautionary measures to include examinations, antibiotics and in some instances, vaccinations," the statement said. "None of the personnel have shown any signs of possible exposure." The facility was decontaminated afterward and the anthrax destroyed. The investigation Samples are supposed to be rendered dead before they are shipped under a routine research program. All military, government and commercial labs that may have received samples are now reviewing their inventory of anthrax. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating in conjunction with the Defense Department and said they do not suspect any risk to the public. | |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Keep a civil tongue.