Truck carrying anthrax involved in crash (Winnipeg, MB, CA)

Just heard this news teaser on the CBC right before the Simpsons:
"Dangerous Deliver: A FedEx truck carring Antrhax through the streets of Winnipeg was in an accident; it was on it's way to the virology lab. Now there are questions about why a courier service is transporting dangerous bacteria"

found this story on cbc.ca:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/03/02/anthrax050203.html

WINNIPEG - A Federal Express courier truck carrying a package of anthrax collided with a car in central Winnipeg Wednesday, but officials say the package was not damaged in the crash and the public was never in danger.

The truck was carrying five packages for the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health, the federal virology lab, which contained samples of anthrax, E. coli, salmonella, tuberculosis, influenza and a sexually transmitted disease.

Officials with the lab said the viruses were not in forms that could be lethal. They described the anthrax as level 2 and level 3, which apparently isn't as dangerous as the more severe form of the disease. The centre said it would not ship the more dangerous form of anthrax through a commercial courier.

The area surrounding the accident site was sealed off and the hazardous materials unit was called in to deal with the accident. Centre officials said all safety protocols were followed, and no changes to those protocols are planned as a result of the crash. They noted that the packages the diseases are shipped in are designed to withstand a plane crash.

Contents must be compatible with the envelope
and allow it to be securely sealed without damage. No cash, cash equivalents, liquids, blood, fluids, or items of high intrinsic value may be shipped in a Fedex envelope.

I would have made the assumption that if they don't want blood, they don't want anthrax. I'll look for a Fedex box to see what that says.

Limitation on Contents

Contents must be compatible with the container and should be packed securely to help assure safe transportation with ordinary care in handling.

Do not send cash or cash equivalent
FedEx Small, Medium, or Large Boxes must not be used for shipments of laptop computer equipment. Laptop, desktop, notebook, mini-computers, or any type of electronic equipment should be shipped in the FedEx laptop packaging.

I guess they don't prohibit blood, etc.

:scared:

all over the world. No, do not courier blood in an envelope, Duh. There are special packaging Arrangements involving styrofoam, fitted containers, etc.

Of the samples listed "anthrax, E. coli, salmonella, tuberculosis, influenza and a sexually transmitted disease" most can be found in the home, tuberculosis, depending on the home.

Anthrax is a scary word, but there are areas where it is present in the soil. There's anthrax and there's ANTHRAX.

On edit: link to CFIA and cattle anthrax:
<http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/anthchar/anthcharfse.shtml>

Sounds like a "royal flush" to me!

...travel through Winnipeg? :shrug:

(/sarcasm)