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 E. Local Officials Report Discovering a Refrigerator Labeled “Ebola” that Contains Biological Samples

''Figure 15 - More than 40 trash can-sized containers of biohazardous waste were removed from the Reedley Biolab after its abatement. Source: City of Reedley.''

Thereafter, local officials had to handle the abatement (“ending” or destruction) process for all pathogens and toxic materials with only minimal guidance from federal experts. They secured the facility and contracted with a hazardous waste removal firm to assist with the abatement action. On July 5-7, local officials and a private firm specializing in pathogenic remediation handled potential pathogenic threat abatement. On July 28, and pursuant to court order, local officials and contractors continued the abatement process pursuant to an additional court order. Ultimately, local officials had to dispose of approximately 103.73 tons of general waste (including laboratory equipment) and 448 gallons of medical and biological waste.

Up to the point at which they began the abatement process, local officials had not thoroughly investigated several of the freezers for fear of encountering a dangerous pathogen. During the abatement process, however, they had to review every freezer for evidence of potential pathogens that they needed to destroy. While doing so, local officials and contractors reported that they found a freezer labeled “Ebola” with silver sealed bags found inside consistent with how the Reedley Biolab operators stored sensitive biological and other materials.