Safety blunders expose lab staff to potentially lethal diseases in UK

Exclusive: breaches investigated involve dengue virus, anthrax and other deadly pathogensSafety breaches at UK labs that handle harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi have spread infections to staff and exposed others to potentially lethal diseases, the Guardian has learned.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has investigated a series of mistakes over the past two years that led to scientists falling ill at specialist labs run by hospitals, private companies, and even Public Health England (PHE), the government agency which exists to protect and improve the nation ’s health and wellbeing.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - February 10, 2018 Category: Science Authors: Ian Sample Science editor Tags: Infectious diseases Science Microbiology Medical research Source Type: news