NYSUFFOL-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: [NYSUFFOL] An Inside Look at Plum Island
Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999 11:33:13 EST

Dear Suffolk-Rootsers, etc.,


Sunday's NEWSDAY (page H01) has an article (the first 3 paragraphs appear
after my signature) about a recent trip to the Plum Island Animal Disease
Center located on Plum Island, an island lying on a direct line between
Orient and Fishers Island in the Town of Southold.

Plum Island is the only place in the United States where deadly diseases that
attack large animals are actually tested on animals, only employees and
authorized visitors can land on the island 1.5 miles off Orient Point.

In recent weeks, federal officials have been welcoming local groups as they
attempt to make their case for a new facility on the island to study even
more deadly viruses for which there are no vaccines.

For those who have their copy of the 1998 LI Population Survey or have
already downloaded the report from the Suffolk County Cooperative Library web
site (e-Mail me directly if you need instructions on how to access and
download the report), you'll find Plum Island in the Town of Southampton,
Suffolk County on pages 15 and 30 (map). There is no population estimate for
Plum Island as apparently no one lives there on a permanent basis.

For all those Suffolk-Rootsers who wish to see the entire story but can not
access
the web, please e-Mail me directly and I will then e-Mail the entire story to
you.


Sincerely,

Walter Greenspan


THE EAST END / An Inside Look at Plum Island Lab
-by Bill Bleyer. STAFF WRITER

BEING ASKED to sign a pledge not to go near any livestock for five
days is the first indication for visitors to the Plum Island Animal
Disease Center that researchers want to keep the viruses they study to
themselves.
If the quarantine agreement doesn't make the point, having to strip
off all clothing and jewelry before donning borrowed jumpsuits,
underwear and sneakers to enter the lab building is usually sufficient
to make it clear that officials don't want any pathogens leaving the
premises.
But for those who still haven't gotten the message, it is reinforced
even more blatantly in the corridor leading to the actual labs. The area
is guarded by blue metal doors emblazoned with an orange sign stating:
"Biohazard. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics and handling
contact lenses are prohibited in this area." Because Plum Island is the
only place in the United States where deadly diseases that attack
large animals are actually tested on animals, only employees and
authorized visitors can land on the island 1.5 miles off Orient Point.

EDITION: EAST END
SECTION: LILife
DATE: 12-12-1999
H01

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