New Jersey Lab Loses Plague-Infected Mice
Global Security Newswire
Three mice that went missing after being infected with bubonic plague at a New Jersey bioterrorism laboratory are believed to have been eaten by other mice in a vaccine program, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported today (see GSN, Sept. 9).
While not absolutely sure of the mice's fate, officials said the public should not worry about plague outbreak.
The mice were among 24 being studied at the Public Health Research Institute in Newark, N.J. They were divided into three groups of eight, with one set receiving a trial plague vaccine, the second a proven vaccine and the third no vaccine.
The FBI opened an investigation after the mice's absence was noticed two weeks ago. Investigators found no evidence of terrorism or a crime, Special Agent Steve Siegel said. Several laboratory workers underwent lie-detector tests.
"The FBI has expended a tremendous amount of manpower and resources on this matter," Siegel said.
According to the Inquirer, the laboratory staff did not initially consider the possibility that the mice were cannibalized. The working theory now is that facility personnel did not notice the remains of the three mice when they cleaned and sterilized the sawdust-filled cages after testing was complete.
"We believe it was inadvertent and the animal-care staff made a mistake," said David Perlin, institute president and scientific director. "That doesn't excuse it."
Perlin said there was no way the mice could have escaped or been removed by laboratory staffers, who will be retrained in handling animals involved in sensitive testing. He said only eight workers have access to the laboratory in which plague research is conducted.
These workers must go through five security checkpoints before entering the laboratory. Researchers who worked on the plague vaccine test had Justice Department clearance and were interviewed by the FBI after the mice disappeared, Perlin said.
For the disease to spread to a human, a flea would have to bite one of the infected mice and then bite a human. "The odds of that occurring are ridiculous. It's hard to even imagine such a scenario," said Laurie Garrett, head of the global health program for the Council on Foreign Relations.
"There is no indication that this is a public health threat," said Jennifer Morcone, spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The test vaccine was ultimately found not to work. All mice that received the vaccine died shortly after being infected with plague (Lipka/Vrazo, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 16).
Three mice that went missing after being infected with bubonic plague at a New Jersey bioterrorism laboratory are believed to have been eaten by other mice in a vaccine program, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported today (see GSN, Sept. 9).
While not absolutely sure of the mice's fate, officials said the public should not worry about plague outbreak.
The mice were among 24 being studied at the Public Health Research Institute in Newark, N.J. They were divided into three groups of eight, with one set receiving a trial plague vaccine, the second a proven vaccine and the third no vaccine.
The FBI opened an investigation after the mice's absence was noticed two weeks ago. Investigators found no evidence of terrorism or a crime, Special Agent Steve Siegel said. Several laboratory workers underwent lie-detector tests.
"The FBI has expended a tremendous amount of manpower and resources on this matter," Siegel said.
According to the Inquirer, the laboratory staff did not initially consider the possibility that the mice were cannibalized. The working theory now is that facility personnel did not notice the remains of the three mice when they cleaned and sterilized the sawdust-filled cages after testing was complete.
"We believe it was inadvertent and the animal-care staff made a mistake," said David Perlin, institute president and scientific director. "That doesn't excuse it."
Perlin said there was no way the mice could have escaped or been removed by laboratory staffers, who will be retrained in handling animals involved in sensitive testing. He said only eight workers have access to the laboratory in which plague research is conducted.
These workers must go through five security checkpoints before entering the laboratory. Researchers who worked on the plague vaccine test had Justice Department clearance and were interviewed by the FBI after the mice disappeared, Perlin said.
For the disease to spread to a human, a flea would have to bite one of the infected mice and then bite a human. "The odds of that occurring are ridiculous. It's hard to even imagine such a scenario," said Laurie Garrett, head of the global health program for the Council on Foreign Relations.
"There is no indication that this is a public health threat," said Jennifer Morcone, spokeswoman for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The test vaccine was ultimately found not to work. All mice that received the vaccine died shortly after being infected with plague (Lipka/Vrazo, Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 16).
