25.05.2004 06:40:02
Russian Scientist Dies in Ebola Accident at Former Weapons Lab
New York Times, By JUDITH MILLER,
Published: May 25, 2004, NEW ORLEANS, May 24 2004
A Russian scientist has died after accidentally infecting herself with Ebola virus. The scientist, Antonina Presnyakova, was working on a vaccine against the virus at the Department of Dangerous viral Pathogens of the Molecular Biology Scientific Research Institute which was part of the Soviet-era State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology, known as Vector. The laboratory was being funded by Texas-based Antibody Systems and was not part of the organization receiving US government funds. The accident occurred on 5 May 2004, but was not reported to the World Health Organization until the victim had died.
Here's some background on the microbiologist and how she handled these viruses at this Vector place in Siberia, known as either a strategic defense enterprise or Department of Dangerous viral Pathogens of the Molecular Biology Scientific Research Institute:
A Smallpox Case is more dangerous than a Boeing
Researchers of the Laboratory wear these rubber suits during their work for four hours together. Sometimes they chase monkeys who have escaped a syringe. Senior research assistant Antonina Presnyakova got on the suit quickly and handily, in a soldier-like manner. She looked like Dunno on the Moon. At the beginning of the way to the working room, a worker breathes through a gas mask. When he passes airlocks, an air pipe is attached. Each "cosmonaut" hauls a special pipe through which the air is supplied. Ventilation is the most important safety feature. All measures are taken so that in emergency each worker could urgently eliminate its workplace. All liquid waste is sterilized in autoclaves. Solid waste is treated with alkali solution and incinerated in a remote "crematorium". (We came to have a look—it resembled a common shed).
How does someone wearing a rubber suit accidentally stick themselves with an Ebola-laden needle?
I don't believe it was an accident.
EBOLA, LAB ACCIDENT DEATH - RUSSIA (SIBERIA) (03): CORRECTION