Security training expands at Army bio-labs

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Security training expands at Army bio-labs
By David Dishneau - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 2, 2008 17:40:22 EST

HAGERSTOWN, Md.— The Army announced additional security training Tuesday for workers handling some of the world’s deadliest germs and toxins, part of its response to an FBI finding that an Army scientist was responsible for deadly 2001 anthrax attacks.

The Army also said Tuesday that a lab closed for security shortcomings in April won’t reopen.

The new training to reinforce existing policies was recommended as a first step by a task force reviewing lab security practices after the FBI concluded that Army scientist Bruce Ivins was behind the attacks, said Michael Brady, special assistant to Army Secretary Pete Geren.

The first weeklong refresher course began Monday at the Army’s flagship biodefense lab at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md., where Ivins allegedly obtained and refined the anthrax used in the deadly mailings that killed five people and sickened 17 others.

Lab spokeswoman Caree Vander Linden said the training in security, accounting and accident-reporting rules will be rolled out to four other Army labs over the next few months. She said Army leaders aren’t calling for changes in pathogen handling but are reiterating procedures for inventory accounting and documentation.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/ap_biolabs_120208/%2e