A stack of 161 biological defense mishap reports provided to The Frederick News-Post under the Freedom Of Information Act included a range of incidents from jammed fingers to needlesticks, which employees reported to the safety office and medical division at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.
The mishap reports were filed at USAMRIID between April 1, 2002 and Dec. 1, 2005.
Samples (PDF format)
Employee working on B anthracis spores did not take proper procedures. [detrick-bdm001.pdf]
An employee was bitten on the left thumb near the fingernail by a plague-infected monkey while attempting to secure the monkey to an armchair. [detrick-bdm2002.pdf]
Due to lack of communication, an employee mistakenly opened a door into an incubator that contained SARS cultures. [detrick-bdm3003.pdf]
Glossary of terms in mishap reports
Bacillus anthracis- The causative agent of anthrax
BSC- Biological Safety Cabinet. BSCs are containment device laboratories use to work with infectious agents and protect workers from airborne particles within the cabinet.
A hood on the cabinet uses a blower to push air into the cabinet, preventing the inside particles from coming into contact with workers.
BSCs range from Class I to Class III, used depending on an agent's biosafety level classification. Class III BSCs offer the highest level of personnel and environmental protection from aerosols.
Doxycycline- An antibiotic that can be used to prevent anthrax infection
EROF- Elite Roaming Observers Force. A team of trained military personnel that patrols laboratories to ensure personnel use proper safety measures.
PAPR- Powered Air Purifying Respirator. PAPRs are battery-operated respirators that use HEPA filters to remove contaminants and supply purified air to a facepiece.
PPE- Personal protective equipment
Prophylaxis- A preventive or protective treatment for disease, such as a vaccine. Prophylaxes given after potential exposures include antibiotics or other treatments given before disease would result from the exposure.
SIP- Special Immunizations Program, part of USAMRIID's medical division. SIP provides USAMRIID's lab personnel with vaccines against agents they could be exposed to.
SOP- Standard Operating Procedures
VEE- Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis
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