There was an explosion and fire in Russia’s major research center which studying lethal virus known to mankind including Ebola and HIV. Fortunately there was no biological contamination according to Vektor Centre.
According BBC news, explosion of gas canister during refurbishment work is the reason behind this accident in Vektor Centre which is in Koltsovo near Novosibirsk.
This Cold War biological weapons research facility has world’s largest collection of including Ebola, HIV, smallpox, birdflu etc. Russian government developed this facility for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of especially dangerous infections, including HIV, SARS and Ebola.
Before being extinguished, the fire spread over 323 sq ft. injuring one person who is in intensive care now.
According to the official statement by Vektor Research Center, there were no contamination through structural damage and no research work with biological hazardous material was going on the building where accident happened.
This facility surfaced on news in May 5th 2004 about Antonina Presnyakova, a senior laboratory assistant in this facilty at the Department of Dangerous Viral Infections at the Research Institute of Molecular Biology, contracted Ebola and died within 2 weeks.
As usual day, before the start of the working day, Mrs. Presnyakova, who participated in the creation of a vaccine against this dangerous disease, underwent planned training and medical examination, put on an “Anti-protein-5” pneumosuit and two pairs of rubber gloves.
According to the prosecutor Belous, the observance of the integrity of workwear completely eliminates the impact of “pathogenic substances” on the human body. But when working with Ebola virus-infected guinea pigs, the lab technician pricked her left palm with a syringe.
But, despite the measures taken, two weeks later, Mrs. Presnyakova died. The laboratory assistant was buried in a zinc coffin. A daily physical examination for three weeks was carried out by personnel who “contacted” the patient.
Discussion about this post