CDC Anthrax Scare Blamed on Breach of Protocol
Posted on June 21, 2014
The CDC is blaming its anthrax scare on a breach of protocol in a lab designed to study the potentially deadly bacteria. The CDC announced that about 75 employees were exposed to the bacteria on Thursday. The CDC workers are taking protective courses of antibiotics.
The Guardian reports that the CDC says a breach of protocol at the lab led to the anthrax scare. A live anthrax sample was delivered to a lower-security clearance lab by mistake. Two people in the lower-security clearance lab handled the anthrax without the correct protective gear because they thought it was harmless. They have been receiving medical attention since June 13.
The Guardian says CDC spokesman Benjamin Haynes released the following email: "This was simply a breach of protocol. The protocol calls for inactive anthrax to be slided and observed after 48 hours to see if spores develop. This particular sample was checked and sent to lower-level labs after 24 hours."
The CDC says it may take disciplinary action against those who did not follow procedure. The CDC said in a statement, "Given that the CDC expert protocols were not followed, disciplinary actions will be taken as necessary. In addition, the CDC will review the safety protocol again with all employees who work in this area."
The CDC says the public is not at risk from the lab breach as anthrax is not contagious. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that anthrax spores may have become airborne in the lab and its possible people in the lab were exposed. None of the CDC workers have contracted anthrax to date.
The CDC released this video about the dangers of anthrax about a week before the scare in its own lab. Take a look:
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