A laboratory operated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was cited, sanctioned to three years suspension for violating grave safety rules in its handling of bioterror pathogens. Over the years, a small group of bio lab operators received repeated sanctions under federal regulations.
CDC secretly sanctioned multiple times for mishandling bioterror pathogens https://t.co/jyNhiQUcpE
— Sohrab Haeri (@SohrabHaeri) May 11, 2016
Mishandling Of Bioterror Germs
As first reported by USA Today, the CDC admitted for the first time on Tuesday that their own labs have been referred for additional secret federal enforcement actions six times because of serious and repeated violations. These labs have repeatedly mishandled certain viruses, bacteria and toxins, which have stringent regulations due to its potential to be used as bioweapons.
However, when CBS News reached out to CDC to take their side, they denied that any of the referrals resulted to suspension. "None of these violations resulted in a risk to the public or illness in laboratory workers," the CDC said.
But there's one serious safety violation of mishandling bioterror pathogens that resulted to the suspension of permits. Five of the cases were inspected by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), performing audits at CDC campuses.
The HHS-OIG decided to close the investigations after CDC demonstrated enhanced procedures, preventing future occurrence. However, the unresolved case was not further discussed.
Permit Suspension of CDC Biolabs
According to USA Today, CDC repeatedly refused to answer about its own laboratories enforcement histories. However, the news agency won a Freedom of Information Act appeal and gained access to documents.
Documents show that CDC's facilities have the worst regulatory histories, receiving numerous sanctions under federal regulations. New York Post explained that the permit suspension occurred in 2007, involving a lead scientist's research on the Japanese encephalitis virus at the agency complex in Fort Collins, Colorado.
However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture discovered that the scientist's research does not comply with Federal Select Agent Program. This program is set by CDC and USDA to regulate laboratories handling bioterror pathogens like anthrax, smallpox and plague.
In 2010, the permit was restored. CDC said that the samples were either destroyed or transferred to another registered facility. Japanese encephalitis virus is no longer considered a select agent as of 2012.
