MONTREAL (CUP) — The Stewart Biology building at McGill University was evacuated last Wednesday after an anthrax scare was reported to 911.
According to sources present at the scene, a white envelope containing white powder was opened in a biology department office at around 2:50 p.m., when the emergency call was received.
A biology professor who asked to remain anonymous, and who was teaching at the time of the evacuation, said the envelope was opened by the secretary for graduate studies of the biology department, in her office.
Richard Liebmann, chief of operations for the Montreal Fire Service, said eight people were kept inside the Stewart building until public health officials could confirm the nature of the powder and guarantee their safety.
“Only a couple of people are really thought to have been directly exposed,” Liebmann said. “We’re keeping the eight inside for safety precautions. They all feel well, so there is no reason to take them to the hospital.”
According to Liebmann, a team of police and fire specialists kept the Stewart Building sealed off until it was deemed safe to reopen. At 10:30 p.m. the building was declared safe.
A hazardous materials (hazmat) technician who spoke to The Daily on condition of anonymity said fire vehicles arrived at the scene three minutes after the call, and the hazmat unit two minutes after that. He added that a SWAT team was expected at the site for further investigation.
The sender’s identity and motives are unknown.
Lynne Labelle, a spokesperson for the Montreal police, said later in the evening that the powder was probably not anthrax, but that it would be sent to the lab for analysis nonetheless. She had no information on the condition of the eight people kept in the building.
For students taking classes in the building, it was a unique first day of school.
“When the fire bell rang and we left the building, there were already all these police cars and ambulances outside,” said Melanie Greffard, an environmental studies student. “Now I’m stranded. My bag is in there with all my things, and I can’t go home. They won’t let anyone in.”
Dr. Dalius Briedis, a professor of microbiology and immunology who specializes in hazardous organisms and who was present at the site, said that if tests turned out positive for anthrax, the effects would not be very severe.
“Worst case scenario, the people infected will have to take Cipro [ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic] for a while.”
Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by bacterial spores, made famous after several cases sprouted in the US following Sept. 11. Symptoms closely resemble those of the flu, although the specific symptoms of the disease may vary.
People treated for anthrax with Cipro generally respond well to the drug.
