New Post has been published on Uncle Sams Misguided Children
New Post has been published on http://misguidedchildren.com/politics/2014/12/cdc-workers-atlanta-lab-possibly-exposed-ebola/34988
CDC workers at Atlanta Lab possibly exposed to Ebola
The Atlanta CDC laboratory has made some mistakes that could truly have been costly. Now, a lab worker was exposed to live Ebola virus, with about 12 other people who potentially could have been exposed. It appears that transferring samples to different facilities is a problem at the CDC.
Mishandling lethal viruses
Back in June, 75 workers were exposed to live anthrax samples. They failed to “inactivate” those samples prior to moving them to a nonsecure part of the facility. Mishaps happen with humans, but in matters of handling lethal viruses and diseases, rigid controls are in place. Even Dr. Friedan, the head of the CDC, remarked that their “goal was not met in this case.”
In this latest incident, “potentially lethal” samples were allowed to be handled by workers in a less secure facility. Only one technician was exposed directly, and he is being monitored. As yet he shows no symptoms of the virus.
Twelve others had the potential, but are not thought to be in any danger, as the lab had been decontaminated prior to their entrance.
The Washington Post wrote,
“Agency officials said it is unlikely that any of the others who entered the lab face potential exposure. Some entered the lab after it had been decontaminated. Officials said there is no possible exposure outside the secure laboratory at CDC and no exposure or risk to the public…
The mistake took place Monday afternoon. It was discovered by laboratory scientists Tuesday and within an hour reported to agency leaders. The error, which is under internal investigation, was reported to Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Mathews Burwell and to a program that has oversight over pathogens such as Ebola and anthrax…
The mistake was discovered Tuesday when workers looked in the freezer in the Ebola research lab — one of the highest-security biosafety labs, known as a Level 4 — and saw material that was supposed to have been sent to a different, less-secure lab in the same building.
They realized something was wrong.”
The CDC laboratory in Atlanta(i.e. the Roybal Campus) is a massive structure with numerous laboratory facilities in varying levels of security. Fortunately, this incident was caught relatively quickly.
“Thousands of laboratory scientists in more than 150 labs throughout CDC have taken extraordinary steps in recent months to improve safety. No risk to staff is acceptable, and our efforts to improve lab safety are essential — the safety of our employees is our highest priority.” Dr. Thomas Friedan
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