That’s because SMALLPOX is so deadly that it is in fact only allowed to be in two known labs throughout the entire world. One of those labs is in Russia and the other is in a CDC facility in Atlanta both of which are typically kept under guard and heavy security due to its lethality. But what should’ve been a routine lab cleaning assignment for one PA worker at a Merck facility — ended up in a stunning discovery that has now launched a federal investigation.
According to reports, a worker over the weekend at a PA based Merck facility was just doing their duties as usual when they discovered a series of vials in the building that were off-labeled; some were labeled, and then some were quite literally labeled SMALLPOX. Interestingly, outside of the United States the only other known place SMALLPOX is kept is in a Russian bioweapons lab that is usually considered off limits to the West.
Live Science reports that the disease was first considered eradicated back in 1980 by the WHO after a worldwide vaccination push. Let’s be clear there is nothing to worry about for the general public, however, people are still asking the general question: how in the world did it end up in Merck ‘s lab?
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