Mice Infected With Deadly Plague Missing From Newark Lab (NJ)

WNBC Television ^ | 9/15/2005 | Puppage

[Puppage]

NEWARK, N.J. -- Authorities are searching for three mice infected with bubonic plague that disappeared from a research laboratory about two weeks ago.

While health experts say the risk to the public is slim to none, the incident highlights ongoing security failures at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

The mice went missing from the lab of the Public Health Research Institute, which is located on the UMDNJ campus and conducts bioterrorism research for the federal government.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI are investigating, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported in Thursday's newspapers. The rodents may have been eaten by other laboratory animals, although the possibility that they have been stolen has prompted the institute to interrogate two dozen of its employees and conduct some lie detector tests, the newspaper said.

UMDNJ did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday morning.

If the mice got outside the lab, New Jersey Health Commissioner Fred Jacobs said they would have already died from the disease.

Federal official said the mice may never be accounted for.

[Just mythoughts]

Ah, sorry, we had a "power" outage for several hours this am, no looting that I am aware of.

[Xenophon450]

"Wasn't it the mice that spread the thing in the first place back in the bad old days?"

Actually Fleas from the mice.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

This is silly...bubonic plague can't survive in New Jersey.

[Iron Matron]

It is easily treated with antibiotics.

Thanks for the info, I was busy posting while these facts were being posted about bubonic plague.

Now. What about poor, urban areas where it could be mistaken for another illness..or perhaps an area like New Orleans?

I can still see where many could die from something like this..what if the mice were infected with something untreatable? Pause for thought, I'd say.

[el_texicano]

You'll probably find two of these rats on the floor of the US Senate. They're names are Corzine and "Frank the Lout". They are terminally infected with a highly contagious and vicious disease called "socialism/liberalism". And worse, there is no known cure. They are a scourge where ever they go.

Wha..What's that you say? They are mice, not rats? Oh well, never mind then.

[Darnright]

For what it's worth, a bite from a sick mouse is not the danger. Fleas carry the Plague, and spread it through feeding off infected animals, then by biting another animal, or a person.

[baker_girl]

Okay let me get this straight.

We actually trust these people to conduct bioterrorism research for the federal government.

[jess35]

If the security in that lab is so lax that 3 mice infected with the plague could just "disappear", a criminal investigation needs to be launched and the facility needs have their ability to conduct such research suspended indefinitely.

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

Damned Pan-Dimensional beings. Always up to something.

Are you referring to the mice or the health experts?

[Cagey]

I am from the country and get pitifully lost in the city.

I know very few people believe there is "country" in New Jersey, but I know exactly what you mean. For awhile I lived in a town in Northwest NJ (near Hight Point) that was fairly large and to this day still has not one traffic light and more dairy cows than people.

Now I live where there are more cars than people and traffic lights every three blocks.

I have a friend who's Dad was a Motorcycle Cop in Newark and did ride a Harley while on duty. He and his dad both ride Gold Wings as their personal motorcycles.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

I am in Warren County. It is still country. I am not far from Sussex County where High Point is, and I am not far from the Delaware Water Gap Bridge to go to the Poconos.

[Cagey]

I don't know if you've heard about this, but I'd think you'll find it interesting.



http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050904/NEWS01/509040435/1004

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Thanks, I did not see that. You know what is funny, my town had a bicycle cop this past summer to patrol the park, trails and pedestrian areas. That is how country it is there.

[Mears]

New jersey is a beautiful state IMHO and suffers from a bad reputation,often through snide remarks on TV shows that are based in NYC.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Thanks. It is like all states, I think, some nice areas and some crappy ones.

If we could just get the libs out of power, I think a lot of good could get done here.

[Cagey]

Bicycle Cops are getting fairly popular in beach towns here in Ocean and Monmouth counties too. They can go places patrol cars can't.

I saw two of those State Police Harley's on the Parkway a couple of weeks ago and then read the story I linked to you in the Asbury Park Press. I like the idea. Well, until I get pulled over by one anyway.

[little jeremiah]

FYI.

Good morning, all.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

Oh, I see you drive like I do, fast and GONE!!

[Cagey]

LOL! Well, not THAT fast.

[JustAnotherOkie]

Those Rat's probably sneaked back home to the U.N. I knew they were ate-up with something.