Investigation clears lab after meningococcal illness

An inquiry into safety at the ESR laboratory at Porirua where a visiting British scientist was working when she became ill with meningococcal disease has found no evidence of an accident.

Australian microbiologist Andrew Lawrence was called in by Crown Research Institute ESR to investigate its procedures after Jeannette Adu-Bobie was diagnosed with the disease.

Ms Adu-Bobie, an experienced researcher in her 30s, had been working for three weeks in an antibody testing lab that handles meningococcal bacteria.

She remains critically ill in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit and is likely to have limbs amputated.

ESR had said it was extremely unlikely she was infected in the laboratory because of strict safety regulations.

Mr Lawrence said from Adelaide yesterday that he had completed a written report into systems and equipment at the lab and it would be with ESR today.

"I couldn't find any evidence of any breakdown in procedures leading to a possible laboratory accident. Their systems, protocols and equipment are appropriate for what they're doing."

- NZPA