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Nearly 200 people under observation after Irkutsk lab worker dies from plague

222 points · 202 comments · ericmay

  1. helsinkiandrew · · focus · HN ↗
    So breaks a test tube of live bacteria at an “anti-plague institute”, possible infects 100 colleagues, then when she developed plague like symptoms is taken to hospital and possibly infects 100 patients.

    I think they need to investigate their safety protocols

    > She reportedly told medical staff that she had accidentally broken a test tube containing live bacteria while collecting samples for testing.

    > At least 197 people who may have had contact with her were reportedly placed under medical isolation, including more than 100 in hospital wards.

    1. hliyan · · focus · HN ↗
      Was this a glass test tube? I understand why glass is probably the best material for the inner lining of containers that hold biological material, but I'm surprised that there aren't better solutions for hazardous material (e.g. an unbreakable, transparent polymer outer coating).
      1. doodlesdev · · focus · HN ↗
        I believe the biggest reason to use glass is that it doesn't react with much stuff, but I've yet to see an explanation for why your idea wouldn't work. I imagine there could be problems with autoclaves (i.e. degradation of the polymer) and fear of chemical leaching.
        1. fc417fc802 · · focus · HN ↗
          Polymer coated glass is commonplace in chemistry labs for large containers of hazardous reagents held in storage. There's no chemical leaching concern because it's on the outside.

          If anything, disposable plastic test tubes are the norm in microbiology labs at this point. No need to autoclave because they come sterile and you throw them away after a single use.

          Plenty of plastic that's designed for it goes through the autoclave. For example micropipette tips. Nearly all of it is disposable single use so it only has to withstand a single cycle.

          1. murkt · · focus · HN ↗
            Not sure that throwing away plastic tubes with samples of plague bacteria is a good idea
            1. cluckindan · · focus · HN ↗
              That’s what the autoclave is for.
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