Louisiana - Investigation ongoing on bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei released from a high-security laboratory at Tulane National Primate Research

[Pathfinder]

CAB Update March 24, 2015
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Here is an update on the ongoing testing for Burkholderia pseudomallei at the Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC).

To date, 546 antibody tests have been performed by CDC on serum samples collected from 414 nonhuman primates. As previously reported, the results of these and other tests have confirmed Burkholderia pseudomallei infection or exposure in seven animals. Several additional animals have shown some level of antibodies to Burkholderia pseudomallei. Additional testing is required to confirm whether these animals were actually exposed to the bacterium.

None of the antibody-positive animals have clinical signs of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection, but all have been placed in isolation.

To date there is no evidence of human exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei at the TNPRC. No environmental samples collected from air, water or soil at TNPRC have demonstrated evidence of Burkholderia pseudomallei.
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http://tulane.edu/tnprc/community-advisory-board/updates/cab-update-20150324.cfm

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf...t_tammany.html

Reporting live from St. Tammany meeting re: the Tulane National Primate Research Center
By James Varney, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on March 31, 2015 at 3:48 PM, updated March 31, 2015 at 3:54 PM NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune will be reporting live from the public meeting tonight concerning the bacteria release at the Tulane National Primate Research Center. The meeting, in the Parish Council chambers, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Representatives from a host of local, state and federal agencies involved in the process are slated to attend. While there is no specific agenda for the meeting, residents who have questions or concerns about what happened at TNPRC and what is being done to prevent a repeat are encouraged to attend, too...

 

[Pathfinder]

Public meeting over bacteria release leaves some unsettled
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Ashley Rodrigue / Northshore Bureau Chief 10:08 p.m. CDT March 31, 2015

COVINGTON, La. - ...
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On the other end of the public conversation over the foul-up at the Covington facility were almost a dozen agencies on the federal, state and local levels.

The most significant answer of the night came from Tulane.

"We clearly screwed up," said director Dr. Andrew Lackner, "There's no doubt, and we're very sorry about that."

...six total primates have tested positive for the bacteria, three of those have been euthanized. The CDC has determined lax protective gear use by employees led to the bacteria escaping the research lab, and for now, it is believed the primates were exposed during trips to the vet clinic on the property.
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Officials reminded the public that this is an on-going situation, including some testing and follow up expected over the next five years.

http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/loc...g-addresses-primate-center-bacteria/70742950/