CDC Laboratory Incident: Timeline of major events

June 5
-
BRRAT Lab BSL-3
Laboratory scientist prepared extracts from B. anthracis for analysis
Culture after ten minute treatment
June 6
-
BRRAT Lab BSL-3
After twenty four hours, extracts removed to BSL-2
No growth -
BRRAT Lab BSL-2
MALDI plate is prepared with potential aerosolization sent to Core BSL-2 -
Core Lab
MALDI plate arrives and nitrogen air system used in chemical hood blow off flakes (potential aersolization)
June 12
-
BRRAT Lab BSL-2
New MALDI plate is prepared and sent to Special Pathogens lab for mass spectroscopy with potential aerosolization -
Special Pathogens BSL-2
Special pathogens lab performs mass spectroscopy
June 13
-
BRRAT Lab BSL-3
Growth noted on ten minute subculture
Anthrax colonies
BSL-3 containment - MALDI plates and tubes collected and secured from BSL-2 labs
June 14
- Mass spectrometers taken off line in Special Pathogens and Core labs
June 18
- BRRAT lab ceases all operations
Page last reviewed: July 11, 2014
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention