Biohazard incident shuts down Ft. Detrick research lab

FREDERICK, Md. (DC News Now) — The infectious disease medical research facility at Ft. Detrick has been shut down since April pending an investigation into a “biohazard incident.”

The Maryland congressional delegation has asked the National Institutes of Health (NIH) about the potential danger at the military installation and to the public.

At issue is how dangerous pathogens were processed.

Carmen Burdette has lived in Frederick since high school, and in the 50 years since, she has been able to hold good jobs in government and business. The Army’s medical research is conducted at Ft. Detrick.

“[Ft. Detrick] is a good source of jobs for the community,” said Burdette.

But the potentially risky processing of microbes in the Ft. Detrick lab last spring drew the attention of the NIH.

“They had shut down,” said Burdette. “They were looking for some missing biohazard a while back.”

U.S. Rep. April McClain Delaney holds the western Maryland seat on Capitol Hill and spoke on the call for a federal review.

“I don’t think people really understand how research really does help everyday innovation, but also helps create jobs in Washington County, in Frederick, in Montgomery. We are going to be pressing to reopen the lab, to make sure that a lot of these researchers are brought back,” said McClain Delaney.

As for locals like longtime Frederick resident Carmen Burdette?

“They’re doing important work with the cancer research that we really need,” said Burdette. “I just hope that it continues.”