FBI investigating vials labeled 'smallpox' found in lab near Philadelphia - CDC says negative

[Shiloh]

Source: https://news.yahoo.com/vials-labeled-small-pox-found-in-lab-near-philadelphia-003127682.html

FBI investigating vials labeled 'smallpox' found in lab near Philadelphia
Jana Winter·Investigative Correspondent
Tue, November 16, 2021, 7:31 PM·2 min read

WASHINGTON — The FBI and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating “questionable vials” labeled "smallpox" and found in a freezer last night at a Merck facility outside Philadelphia, according to an alert sent to Department of Homeland Security leadership on Tuesday night.

There were reportedly a total of 15 questionable vials, according to the unclassified "For Official Use Only" alert, a copy of which was obtained by Yahoo News. Five of the vials were labeled as “smallpox” and 10 were labeled as “vaccinia." The vials were secured immediately.

The discovery of the vials prompted a lockdown of the facility, which has since been lifted. The FBI and CDC launched investigations, which remain ongoing.

“There is no indication that anyone has been exposed to the small number of frozen vials. The frozen vials labeled ‘Smallpox’ were incidentally discovered by a laboratory worker while cleaning out a freezer in a facility that conducts vaccine research in Pennsylvania,” a CDC spokesperson told Yahoo News...

 

[sharon sanders]

received via FT email



Media Statement




For Immediate Release
Thursday, November 18, 2021

Contact: CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

CDC testing shows commercial lab vials contain no trace of virus known to cause smallpox
Laboratory testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today showed that recently discovered vials marked as “smallpox” contain vaccinia, the virus used in smallpox vaccine. There is no evidence that the vials contain variola virus, the cause of smallpox. CDC is in close contact with state and local health officials, law enforcement, and the World Health Organization about these findings.
On November 15, 2021, the U.S. Government was notified of the report of a small number of intact, frozen vials labeled “smallpox” discovered by a laboratory worker while cleaning out a freezer in a facility that conducts vaccine research in Pennsylvania.
The freezer facility was immediately secured and staff followed standard protocols for notifying CDC of such a potential discovery. The vials were sent securely to CDC for testing on November 18 to determine what they contained. No one was exposed to contents of the vials.