A top US lab studying deadly viruses has been shut down due to a bizarre incident.
The Integrated Research Facility in Frederick, Maryland, was closed after a personal conflict between two researchers escalated into a safety risk.
The lab is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is one of only a handful in the US authorized to handle the world’s most dangerous pathogens, including Ebola and Lassa fever.
A Troubling Incident
The trouble began when a romantic relationship between the two researchers turned sour.
One of them allegedly tampered with the other’s protective suit while they were working in the lab’s Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) area, where the most lethal viruses are handled.
This reckless act put both researchers at risk of exposure to deadly viruses.
Immediate Action
The US Department of Health and Human Services swiftly shut down the lab as a precautionary measure, citing “unsafe behavior” by employees.
All research activities have been halted, and access to the lab is now restricted to essential personnel.
The lab’s director, Dr. Connie Schmaljohn, has been temporarily removed from her position pending an investigation into whether she reported the incident promptly.
The lab is home to around 168 staff members, including government employees and contractors.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols in place at the facility, which is located near the US Army Medical Research Institute.
Next Steps
The lab’s co-director, Michael Holbrook, has stated that they are working to preserve as much of the ongoing research as possible.
No decision has been made to euthanize the lab’s animals.
The shutdown is a significant blow to the research being conducted at the facility, but officials are prioritizing safety above all else.
The source of this information is Daily Mail.