Plum Island staff members go to hospital after experiencing eye irritation at Animal Disease Center, official says
A file image of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Seven people at Plum Island Animal Disease Center were taken to a hospital after experiencing eye irritation on Tuesday morning, according to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson.
The staff members complained of eye irritation "during a routine autoclave run," spokesperson Brad Lake said. An autoclave is a device that uses steam under pressure for scientific purposes and sterilizing items.
The seven staff members were taken to a hospital for evaluation after the 9 a.m. incident. They were all released without symptoms and were feeling fine, Lake said just before 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The Plum Island Animal Disease Center opened in 1954. Scientists study highly contagious animal diseases there. The federal government is transferring its operations to a facility in Kansas. It has also approached Suffolk County about possibly taking ownership of the island, a county spokesman told Newsday.
Bitter cold on the way ... Rally against ICE detention ... Elmont stabbing victim ID'd ... Local bubbly for New Year's
Bitter cold on the way ... Rally against ICE detention ... Elmont stabbing victim ID'd ... Local bubbly for New Year's
