Posted on 09/15/2005 5:46:19 AM PDT by Calpernia
Three lab mice that were exposed to the plague are missing from the Public Health research Institute in Newark.
The animals could have been stolen or eaten by other animals in their cages.
Officials say the risk to public safety is minimal because the infected mice would die quickly.
The incident occurred more than two weeks ago.
The research lab is located on the campus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. U-M-D-N-J has responsibility for security.
The F-B-I and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating.
State Health Commissioner Fred Jacobs tells The Star-Ledger of Newark the incident seemed to be the result of ``internal sloppiness in the management of that lab.''
The lab mice were injected as part of an inoculation and vaccination experiment with the bacterium that causes bubonic and other forms of plague. The infectious disease can be treated with antibiotics if quickly diagnosed.
ping
UMDNJ ping
Were they blind?
>>>>eaten by other animals in their cages.
As a rodent owner, there is always evidence of remains. So I think that option can be ruled out.
I guess I'll be reading "The Stand" again.
That tunnel scene will forever give me chills.
Can see it now. NYT "Bush Aids Terrorists In Spreading Plague, Poll Numbers At Lowest Point"
ping
Idiots
Eeeeeek!
Excerpt:
Lab loses track of three mice that had plague
As FBI probes Newark mystery, officials say risk to public safety is small
Thursday, September 15, 2005
BY JOSH MARGOLIN AND TED SHERMAN
Star-Ledger Staff
Three lab mice carrying deadly strains of plague have turned up missing from separate cages at a bioterror research facility in Newark, sparking a hushed, intensive investigation by federal and state authorities.
Officials said the animals could have been stolen from the center or simply misplaced in a colossal accounting error at one of the top-level bio-containment labs in the state.
The incident occurred more than two weeks ago and was confirmed only yesterday after questions were raised by The Star-Ledger.
The research lab is located on the campus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. It is run by the Public Health Research Institute, a leading center for research on infectious diseases, now participating in a six-year federal bio-defense project to find new vaccinations for the plague -- which federal officials fear could be used as a biological weapon.
UMDNJ has responsibility for the security of the building.
At least two dozen employees and researchers at the lab have been interrogated and, in some cases, subjected to lie detector tests. However, the disease-carrying lab mice may never be accounted for, federal officials said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also investigating.
"The FBI has expended substantial resources and put many agents into this investigation to satisfy -- among other things -- the most compelling question of whether public safety is at risk," said Special Agent Steve Siegel, a bureau spokesman.
He said the investigation was continuing. The agents on the case are members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and experts in biological agents that can be turned into weapons of mass destruction.
Although the FBI typically refuses to comment on open investigations, Siegel said the bureau took the unusual step of issuing a statement because of the "compelling public safety issue here" in the case.
"Right now, we are as satisfied as we can be that there is no public safety risk," Siegel stated.
More:
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1126764942235780.xml&coll=1&thispage=2
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1126764942235780.xml&coll=1&thispage=3
Ahhhh, yes. The "Everlasting Sweet Treat". Ugggghhhhh...
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1126764942235780.xml&coll=1&thispage=2
"While UMDNJ did not operate the lab, the investigation was more unwelcome news for a university that has had its reputation tattered in recent months by the disclosure of millions of dollars in financial abuses and no-bid contracts to politically connected firms."
Hickory, dickery, doc;
Three mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one;
The other two escaped with minor injuries.
Any Chinese take-outs in the area?
ping
READ IT AGAIN!!!
It says MICE not CATS!
::laughing::
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