The University of Iowa’s Hygienic Laboratory is now part of a nationwide network of 40 labs designated as “first responders” to bio-terrorist attacks. Dr. Mary Gilchrist, the director of the Iowa City lab, says they’ll examine items which terrorists might plant with organisms that cause illness or death. In addition, Gilchrist says when there’s a bio-terrorist attack anywhere in the U-S, her lab will help “fingerprint” or identify organisms. Gilchrist says the idea is to rapidly identify an outbreak planted by terrorists. On October 21st, Dr. Gilchrist and other public health officials will lead a workshop about bioterrorism for Iowa medical professionals. The C-I-A is reportedly investigating whether the West Nile virus outbreak in New York City might have been caused by “bio-terrorists.” Five people have died and another 27 have been striken by the disease.
