RadioOnFire.com - A building at the Johns Hopkins Hospital complex was evacuated Thursday afternoon because of a possible tuberculosis exposure, Baltimore City fire officials said. The situation has since been cleared.
Emergency crews were called to the 1500 block of Jefferson Street.
Hospital officials said two buildings have been evacuated. In a later statement, Hopkins spokeswoman Kim Hoppe said the possible release happened during transport in an internal bridge between Cancer Research Building 1 and Cancer Research Building 2, where a small sample of frozen tuberculosis was accidentally released in a non-patient area that doesn't connect to the hospital.
The amount spilled was equivalent to a few drops, officials said, and in the end posed no risk. The HVAC system to the area was shut down immediately, and Hopkins employees were immediately notified by text.
"Public safety officials as well as infectious disease experts have now cleared the buildings, and the evacuation has been lifted," she said. "We have confirmed that there was no risk to anyone on campus. We want to thank our employees for their quick response to the situation as well as the Baltimore City Fire Department.”
Hospital employees told 11 News that a fire alarm was pulled and they were subsequently told to evacuate 1501 Jefferson St. Some employees said they were advised not to walk down the impacted hallway. Firefighters told them everything is OK.
Baltimore City health officials have arrived at the location.
Source WBAL
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