Neighbors Concerned by Presence of Ebola at BU Research Lab
Original article from NBC Boston by Caroline Connolly August 3, 2018
A high security lab in Boston just received a sample of a deadly virus that has killed thousands — Ebola.
The pathogen arrived at Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases this week, along with the related Marburg virus. They are the first of their kind to arrive at the facility, which is allowed for labs classified as Level 4. The designation has only been given to 10 labs in the country.
“If you can’t stop them when the outbreak happens, then you’re out in the position to try to play catch-up,” the lab’s director, Ron Corley, said of the research.
Utilizing a variety of scientists who work in Boston’s academic community, Corley said they expect to make significant strides in better understanding the Ebola virus and its characteristics.
“This is exactly the place to have a facility like this,” said Corley. “That allows us to get people who would not normally think about trying to solve these problems to get interested.”