More than 3000 people have contracted a bacterial disease after a leak at a biopharmaceutical company in the Chinese city of Lanzhou last year.
Between July and August last year, the
Zhongmu Lanzhou biological pharmaceutical company was developing vaccines for
animals for the bacteria Brucellosis, which can cause the infectious disease
Brucellosis when humans come into contact with it.
However, the company used expired
disinfectants and sanitizers meaning not all of the bacteria was eradicated’
from waste gas. This gas - which had bacteria caught up in it - then drifted
downwind to a local veterinary research institute.
Now, more than a year later, the local
health commission has confirmed that 21,847 people were tested’ for the illness
and 3245 have since been confirmed positive.
The symptoms of Brucellosis can be similar
to the flu - such as a fever, back pain, headaches and a cough - but chronic
Brucellosis can have lasting effects. Possible complications include infection
of the heart's inner lining, arthritis, and potentially fertility issues.
"Person-to-person spread of
brucellosis is extremely rare," says the United States Centre for Disease
Control.
"Infected mothers who are breastfeeding may transmit the infection to their infants. Sexual transmission
has been rarely’ reported. While uncommon, transmission may also occur via
tissue transplantation or blood transfusions."
The biopharmaceutical company has since
had its vaccine production license revoked and has apologised.
"At the same time, in accordance with
relevant regulations, the eight responsible persons were dealt with seriously.
Lanzhou Biopharmaceutical Factory said it will learn lessons deeply and
actively cooperate with provinces and cities in the aftermath disposal and
compensation work".
