Small Amounts of Bacteria Found During Protests Last Weekend - WTOP Radio

Small Amounts of Bacteria Found During Protests Last Weekend - WTOP Radio: "Small Amounts of Bacteria Found During Protests Last Weekend
Updated: Friday, Sep. 30, 2005 - 7:43 PM

Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - Authorities are trying to determine whether homeland security was breeched during protests for and against the war in Iraq that took place last weekend.

WTOP Radio has confirmed that D.C. officials were notified on Friday that bio-watch collectors, operated by the Department of Homeland Security, tested positive during demonstrations that took place downtown.

A small amount of bacteria called Tularemia was found on the detectors. While there is no threat to public health, there is also no explanation as to why it took almost a week to notify D.C. officials.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 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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