EPTThis is a fairly terrifying start to the week. A tube containing a deadly virus has disappeared from a research facility in Galveston, Texas, but officials insisted there was no threat to the public. The University of Texas Medical Branch said on Saturday that they suspected the virus, known as the Guanarito virus, had been destroyed by accident, and the lab’s cleaning crew is currently under investigation. The virus, native to Venezuelan rats, is transmitted only through contact with the rats, and it is not believed to be able to survive in rats’ U.S.-based siblings.
Moreover, i think it is pretty irresponsible of officials to declare that there is no threat to public! What nonsense! The mere fact that it is missing is a huge public concern already!
Officials say a vial containing a virus that can cause hemorrhagic fever has gone missing from a research facility in Galveston, but say there's no reason to believe there's a threat to the public.
The University of Texas Medical Branch said Saturday that there was no breach in the security its Galveston National Laboratory and no indication of wrongdoing. Officials suspect the missing vial containing the Guanarito virus was destroyed during the lab's cleaning process but the investigation continues.
The medical branch says the virus, native to Venezuela, is transmitted only through contact with Venezuelan rats. It is not believed to be able to survive in U.S. rodents or to be transmitted person-to-person.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was immediately notified after the vial was discovered missing Wednesday.
The University of Texas Medical Branch said Saturday that there was no breach in the security its Galveston National Laboratory and no indication of wrongdoing. Officials suspect the missing vial containing the Guanarito virus was destroyed during the lab's cleaning process but the investigation continues.
The medical branch says the virus, native to Venezuela, is transmitted only through contact with Venezuelan rats. It is not believed to be able to survive in U.S. rodents or to be transmitted person-to-person.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was immediately notified after the vial was discovered missing Wednesday.
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