Finding cures and developing vaccines is key to stopping the
spread of infectious diseases. We often
learn of newly evolving diseases like SARS,
MERS
or Ebola
through the media. During times of
conflict we often hear of the possibilities of chemical or biological
warfare. But we likely do not give much
thought to the work that may be done in "secret", or perhaps more
accurately described as "on the down-low" in Canada and the US to try
to find vaccines etc. against organisms that could be potentially used as biological agents.
spread of infectious diseases. We often
learn of newly evolving diseases like SARS,
MERS
or Ebola
through the media. During times of
conflict we often hear of the possibilities of chemical or biological
warfare. But we likely do not give much
thought to the work that may be done in "secret", or perhaps more
accurately described as "on the down-low" in Canada and the US to try
to find vaccines etc. against organisms that could be potentially used as biological agents.
These agents are defined as high-priority organisms that pose a risk to
national security because they can easily be disseminated or
transmitted from person to person; can result in high mortality rates and have
the potential for major public health impact; might cause public panic and
social disruption; and require special action for public health preparedness.
Burkholderia
pseudomallei is one such agent.
national security because they can easily be disseminated or
transmitted from person to person; can result in high mortality rates and have
the potential for major public health impact; might cause public panic and
social disruption; and require special action for public health preparedness.
Burkholderia
pseudomallei is one such agent.
In November 2014 two macaques at the Tulane
National Primate Research Center were found to be infected with Burkholderia pseudomallei. Burkholderia
pseudomallei itself is a gram negative bacteria that can be found in
contaminated water and soil and is spread
to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source. Person to person transmission can occur
through contact with blood and body fluids of an infected person. The bacterium
causes a disease known as Melioidosis
or Whitmore's disease and is predominately found in tropical climates,
particularly Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
National Primate Research Center were found to be infected with Burkholderia pseudomallei. Burkholderia
pseudomallei itself is a gram negative bacteria that can be found in
contaminated water and soil and is spread
to humans and animals through direct contact with the contaminated source. Person to person transmission can occur
through contact with blood and body fluids of an infected person. The bacterium
causes a disease known as Melioidosis
or Whitmore's disease and is predominately found in tropical climates,
particularly Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
An investigation by the CDC and APHIS (Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service) has identified lapses in the appropriate use
of PPE which could have led to the bacteria clinging to inner garments and
being transported out of the select agent lab where research was being conducted
on mice with the bacteria. It is
believed this is how the bacteria was transferred to the primate facility. While there is no reason to believe that the
bacterium has expanded beyond the
research center, as a precaution all select agent research has been
suspended and will remain suspended until the facility can demonstrate that
procedures are in place to ensure that animals accidently exposed in the future
are managed appropriately, that PPE procedures are improved, that staff
appropriately trained to ensure adequate biosecurity measures.
Plant Health Inspection Service) has identified lapses in the appropriate use
of PPE which could have led to the bacteria clinging to inner garments and
being transported out of the select agent lab where research was being conducted
on mice with the bacteria. It is
believed this is how the bacteria was transferred to the primate facility. While there is no reason to believe that the
bacterium has expanded beyond the
research center, as a precaution all select agent research has been
suspended and will remain suspended until the facility can demonstrate that
procedures are in place to ensure that animals accidently exposed in the future
are managed appropriately, that PPE procedures are improved, that staff
appropriately trained to ensure adequate biosecurity measures.
