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Fort Detrick worker exposed to anthrax

From Kevin Bohn
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An employee at the U.S. Army biological lab at Fort Detrick, Maryland, has tested positive for exposure to anthrax, a spokesman said Friday.

The employee, who had been previously immunized, is not sick but was put on precautionary antibiotics, base spokesman Chuck Dasey said.

Low levels of anthrax spores were found in an administrative room and a service hallway outside a laboratory in one building, Dasey said.

Medical assessments of employees were started after a scientist noticed a deposit on a flask in a laboratory where general anthrax research is conducted, he said.

It appears any release of anthrax was accidental and was not related to terrorism, officials said.

The deposit was not found in the area where tests are being done on the anthrax-laced letter that was sent to Sen. Patrick Leahy last year, Fort Detrick officials said in a written statement.

"The presence of anthrax spores appears to be highly localized based on negative results from samplings of surrounding areas. There are no cases of anthrax exposure at the laboratory and appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the safety" of the Army Medical Research Institute, the statement said.

Dasey added that a second employee who works in the area also has been put on precautionary antibiotics. That employee also had been vaccinated.

It appears any release of anthrax was accidental and was not related to terrorism, officials said.



 
 
 
 







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