Smallpox as seen under a microscope.
Widespread reports on Wednesday morning indicate that frozen vials labeled “smallpox” were discovered at the Merck Facility in Upper Gwynedd Township.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980 and no naturally occurring cases of smallpox have happened since then. A report by Deanna Durante and Brian X. McCrone at NBC10 indicates that only two laboratories in the world have access to doses of the virus: the CDC’s main lab in Atlanta and a research facility in Russia.
Merck has not responded to a request for comment from North Penn Now. Sources told NBC10 the pharmaceutical giant is in the process of figuring out why the vials were there, and the contents of the vials have not been officially determined at this time.
As first reported by Jana Winter, an investigative journalist with Yahoo! News, the “questionable vials” were found in a freezer at the facility on Monday night. A total of 15 “questionable vials” were discovered, with five of the vials labeled “smallpox” and 10 labeled “vaccinia,” according to Winter’s report.
The facility was locked down following the discovery of the vials, however the lockdown has since been lifted, sources confirmed to North Penn Now.
The Yahoo! News report quotes a CDC official as saying:
“CDC, its Administration partners, and law enforcement are investigating the matter, and the vials’ contents appear intact. The laboratory worker who discovered the vials was wearing gloves and a face mask. We will provide further details as they are available.”
The report adds that there is no indication that anyone was exposed to the contents of the vials. To read the original report, click here.
See also:
Merck Employees Schedule Thursday Protest Over Vaccine Requirement
Lansdale Public Works Committee Prepping for Additional Merck Sewage Flow Beginning Next Year
Merck Announces Layoffs, Scheduled for January (UPDATED)
