Pentagon anthrax blunder reveals 'chain of errors' in government lab protocols

[unhappycamper]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/29/anthrax-pentagon-labs-regulations



Government labs have accidentally shipped live anthrax over the last several years – the most notably incident occurring through the US Postal Service in 2001.

Pentagon anthrax blunder reveals 'chain of errors' in government lab protocols
Jessica Glenza in New York
Friday 29 May 2015 06.30 EDT

Scientists say the accidental shipment by the US army of live anthrax from a laboratory in Utah could point to deficiencies in the military’s system for handling the bacteria.

On Wednesday, Pentagon officials told reporters Dugway Proving Ground in Utah had inadvertently shipped live anthrax to commercial labs in nine states – California, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas and Wisconsin – and South Korea.

The shipments reportedly began in March 2014, when the anthrax was reported to be inactivated after being irradiated. Shipments of the pathogen continued through April 2015, Reuters reported.

Officials have said the mistake did not pose a risk to the public, though four civilians have been placed on a preventative course of medication, which usually includes antibiotics. Twenty-two workers in South Korea are being treated preventatively.