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13 April 2005: DEADLY INFLUENZA VIRUS SENT TO 4000 LABS WORLDWIDE
Samples of an influenza A/H2N2 virus were sent to 3747 laboratories in 18 countries. The WHO (World Health Organization) considers the risk for the general population to be low. The viruses were contained in proficiency testing samples.

The virus was first discovered in a small laboratory in Canada. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) traced the source of the H2N2 virus to a panel of proficiency testing samples containing influenza A and influenza B viruses which the Canadian laboratory received from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) in February 2005.

As of today, there have been no reports of H2N2 infections in laboratory workers associated with the distribution of the H2N2 samples from CAP. The proper use of biological safety cabinets, along with the use of recommended personal protective equipment, greatly reduces the risk of laboratory-acquired influenza infections. While a few H2N2 laboratory acquired infections have been documented in the past, the likelihood of laboratory-acquired influenza infection is considered low when proper biosafety precautions are followed.

Source: Monsters and Critics

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