Boston University Lab gets shipment of Ebola, Marburg Viruses
Original article from Boston Business Journal by Jessica Bartlett August 2, 2018
Researchers at Boston University’s infectious disease lab received the first pathogens it’s gotten under its new heightened designation: the Ebola and Marburg viruses.
The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories received clearance from the Boston Public Health Commission in December to be upgraded to a Biosafety Level 4 facility – the 10th in the country. The designation was years in the making, and came after intense scrutiny by state, city and federal officials, including approval in December from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Now, research on pathogens such as Ebola and Marburg viruses — both deadly hemorrhagic fevers — can begin, with both pathogens making their way to Boston this week from a Montana facility run by the National Institutes of Health.
“This will permit us to fulfill our mission of studying emerging pathogens and developing diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for these pathogens, even those that require BSL-4 containment,” said Ronald B. Corley, NEIDL director and a School of Medicine professor of microbiology, according to a report on BU Today. “It has taken a very long time to get to this point, but the time that has passed has not dampened our enthusiasm — and excitement — to be able to start BSL-4 work.”
Given their deadly potential, researchers had to take exceptional care to transport the viruses to Boston. Kevin Tuohey, executive director of research compliance at Boston University and Boston Medical Center, said the US Department of Transportation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the International Air Transportation Authority, and the Boston Public Health Commission all monitored the transport of the viruses. Delivery was coordinated with Boston Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, and Boston Fire and Police Departments, as well as the Massachusetts State Police.