HHS halts work at high-containment biolab after repeated safety incidents
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken the unprecedented step of implementing a pause on research at Fort Detrick’s Integrated Research Facility, one of the nation’s most highly secure research labs. This decision comes after a series of safety incidents at the facility that have been occurring since the Biden administration took office.
Located at the U.S. Army base Fort Detrick, the Integrated Research Facility conducts research on deadly infectious diseases such as SARS-COV-2 and the Ebola virus. This facility, part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), is dedicated to studying the treatment and prevention of high-consequence diseases like Lassa Fever and Eastern equine encephalitis.
The pause, which went into effect on Tuesday at 5 p.m., was confirmed by an HHS official. According to a source familiar with the situation, the pause was triggered by a conflict between researchers at the facility. One individual allegedly tampered with the personal protective equipment (PPE) of another, leading to their termination. This incident is just the latest in a series of safety breaches at the lab, which the HHS official attributes to a lax safety culture fostered by the previous administration.
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon emphasized the agency’s commitment to safety, stating, “NIH and HHS take the safety of our facilities and research very seriously. As soon as we found out about this incident, we took immediate action to issue the safety pause until we can correct the safety culture at this facility.”
In a separate incident that occurred in November, the facility’s director, Connie Schmaljohn, was placed on administrative leave. The HHS official revealed that Schmaljohn failed to promptly report the incident, resulting in a delay in addressing the issue.
During the research pause, all activities at the facility will cease, and only essential personnel will have access. The duration of the pause remains uncertain at this time.
The safety of research facilities conducting high-risk experiments is paramount, and the HHS is taking proactive measures to address concerns at Fort Detrick’s Integrated Research Facility. As investigations continue and safety protocols are reinforced, the facility will remain closed to research activities until the necessary precautions are in place.
