Small Amounts of Bacteria Found During Protests Last Weekend

Sara D'Angelo, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - Small amounts of bacteria detected in the District during last weekend's war protests are not harmful and probably occurred naturally, say officials from the D.C. Department of Health.

D.C. Health Director Dr. Gregg Pane tells WTOP Radio that the bio-watch collectors, operated by the Department of Homeland Security, tested positive for a small amount of Tularemia last weekend during the protests on the National Mall.

"We've stepped up our surveillance and have notified doctors in the area about what to look for," Pane says, adding that anyone who was on the National Mall last weekend and has been experiencing symptoms of pneumonia should see his or her doctor.

Pane says there is no evidence that anyone has been affected by the bacteria.

D.C. officials were notified of the bacteria detection on Friday.

Mayor Tony Williams says he is fine with the fact that he wasn't immediately told about the Tularemia since there was no direct threat to people in the city.

"I don't want to know every little thing whenever it happens. I want to know if there's a need for a raised alert," Williams said.

There was a week-long delay in notifying D.C. officials because, according to the Centers for Disease Control, monitoring samples were sent to labs and tested before they could confirm the type of bacteria.

According to the CDC, Tularemia, also known as "rabbit fever," can be treated with antibiotics. The CDC warns, however, that it is possible to use Tularemia as a bioweapon.

The disease was first reported in humans in the U.S. in 1914.

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