How can you call sending out a virus that killed MILLIONS a mistake?

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Meridian Biosciences sent out thousands of samples of a flu virus dating from the late 1950's that is estimated to have killed between one and four million people worldwide. They say that the virus was supposed to be used to test and calibrate labratory test procedures. See this link for the story http://data-storage-today.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=10025HUFNBOI0

My question is how do you make the MISTAKE of sending out thousands of samples of a virus responsible for a worldwide pandemic? Shouldn't this be front page news 24/7? Seriously, one would not think that powerfully pathogenic agents would just be sitting around in quantities sufficient to make thousands of samples, so they could then be sent out the door by accident.

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Because people are in charge.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Shouldn't this be front page news 24/7?

Where is it going to fit with all the child abductions, people getting killed in war, Ebola virus, suicide bombers, etc. going on?

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Specializes in ER.

Roland, I agree....a mistake is when I forget to subtract a check from my checking account. This has the potential for world wide disaster if these land in the wrong hands. It is just a matter of perspective I suppose. Most people do not look beyond their own nose when it comes to news. If it does not affect them immediately, they don't bother to read or listen. Yes, this little "mistake" could affect us all!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Been on the news, radio and TV in Philladelphia this week.

One of the reasons it was sent was to test IF a lab could properly identify organism. Thankfully, an astute lab tech reported virus to their boss who contacted CDC.

Last report i heard was that 75% samples destroyed.

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Where is it going to fit with all the child abductions, people getting killed in war, Ebola virus, suicide bombers, etc. going on?

Don't forget Britney Spear's pregnancy:uhoh3:. I find it sick/sad/amusing in a bad way when things like this flash accross the bottom of the screen while the reporter is talking about something like the US death toll in Iraq or something.

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Specializes in ICU, telemetry, LTAC.

Well good morning! I nearly choked on my coffee. Didn't they decide that the 1957 strain was closely related to the strain from the 1918 pandemic?

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Where is it going to fit with all the child abductions, people getting killed in war, Ebola virus, suicide bombers, etc. going on?

You must have some high quality news stations!! Our news stations seem to focus on fall clothing fashions and college students eating cereal (seriously, this was on our local news).

I rarely see any real news on international affairs, specifically Africa and South America or well, specifically anywhere. Our mass media needs some improvement before we can even consider it a joke.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I watch stations out of D.C.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
You must have some high quality news stations!! Our news stations seem to focus on fall clothing fashions and college students eating cereal (seriously, this was on our local news).

I rarely see any real news on international affairs, specifically Africa and South America or well, specifically anywhere. Our mass media needs some improvement before we can even consider it a joke.

You need to get your news from other sources then---like Link TV.
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Well, H***, I thought they caught Saddam Hussein and put him in jail!!!

This sounds like some of his tricks.

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You need to get your news from other sources then---like Link TV.

I usually use the net. I was kinda being sarcastic, but at the same time, everything I said was true. Trust me, I don't rely on television news.

Never heard of Link TV what is that? a station?

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