INFORMATION NOTIFICATION

July 24,  2007

The Public Health Agency of Canada is reporting that during a routine safety assessment of a piece of equipment used to sterilize solid waste from the high containment laboratories at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, it was discovered that the temperature on a drain line leaving this sterilization unit, which is also referred to as a renderer, was not reaching the same temperature as the main body of the unit. This cool spot was revealed by using new heat sensing technology recently acquired to maintain the highest standards of safety in our treatment systems.

Although this cool spot did not reach the temperature specified by sterilization protocols, testing has shown that the rendering process in this sterilizer is working effectively and is sufficient to kill all pathogenic organisms and infectious materials inside the unit.

To ensure the utmost safety, Level 4 solid waste is heat sterilized before it leaves the lab. The rendering process is an additional measure taken to further break down the waste material for safe disposal.

Our scientific evidence indicates that, to date, there has been no release of infectious material into the environment nor has there been any health risk to the public or staff at the centre as a result of this cool spot. Additional testing is scheduled and remedial action is being implemented to further improve this rendering operation.

This world-class laboratory complex which is jointly operated by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has an excellent safety record with extensive protocols in place and well-trained personnel. It offers the world’s highest level of containment and meets or exceeds all national and international guidelines for safety. The Rendering and Biowaste System (RPSSD) has been certified by the Canadian General Standards Board and conforms to the international standard ISO 9001:2000.

INCIDENT UPDATE

April 21,  2007

Further to the notice issued April 20th, the Public Health Agency of Canada is advising that Dr. Frank Plummer, Scientific Director General  of the Agency’s National Microbiology Laboratory (NML), has declared the situation is resolved.

Following further consultation with an external infectious disease expert, the 30 staff members who had been taking antibiotics as a precaution were advised to discontinue their use.  The four rooms that had been closed in the lab have been reopened  by the facility’s safety program.   The situation is over and all operations have returned to normal.

As reported Friday, all tests for anthrax and other potentially high threat bacteria have proven negative.  Work is continuing to determine exactly what the bacteria in question is, it is thought to be either a bacteria commonly found in the environment or potentially one from a staff member who may have unknowingly been carrying a common bacteria.  This type of contamination is not uncommon in a laboratory and established systems are in place to minimize the possibility of this happening.

NML will use this experience to examine lessons learned and review protocols and procedures for any possible improvements.

MEDIA NOTICE

April 20,  2007

The Public Health Agency of Canada is advising the community today of an incident that has taken place at the Agency’s National Microbiology Lab (NML), located at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health.  We are advising media of this incident in the interests of openness and transparency and we want to assure Winnipeg residents that this incident at no time posed a risk to the public. 

 We also wish to ensure the public that every necessary protocol was followed quickly and correctly in this situation. Personnel of the NML responded in a timely and appropriate manner and the situation has been resolved. An investigation into the cause of this incident will be undertaken to prevent future occurrence.

 A scientist at the NML undertook research with what was by all indications sterile material derived from anthrax. A concern later arose that the material may have contained a live organism. Action was taken to address those concerns and tests indicate that the material does not contain any live anthrax organisms. Additional tests were conducted and have ruled out any other organism that may be a concern.

 All possible precautions have been taken to protect the health of NML personnel, including putting the 30 staff that may have been in the vicinity of the material on antibiotics. We also closed the rooms used for the research until the testing process was completed.

While lab-acquired infections are a concern for all laboratories, this world-class facility has an excellent safety record with extensive safety protocols in place and well-trained personnel.

 There is no risk to the community, and we understand that people may be concerned. We have been in contact with our Community Liaison Committee regarding this issue and we will continue to keep them apprised of any developments.

The NML is Canada’s leading public health infectious disease laboratory.  It offers the world’s highest level of containment and meets or exceeds all national and international guidelines for safety.  Scientists at the lab conduct research on bacteria and viruses to advance the science that will help protect the public in Canada and internationally.

Media Inquiries

Elaine Krawchenko
Public Health Agency of Canada
(204) 789-5046