Tuberculosis Spill At Johns Hopkins Sparked Evacuation: Official

BALTIMORE, MD — Multiple people were potentially exposed to tuberculosis on the Johns Hopkins medical campus Thursday. Hazmat crews were called to the scene on Jefferson Street midday, where two research buildings were evacuated.

Ultimately, officials said that nobody was put at risk.

A test tube containing frozen tuberculosis that was used for research purposes was dropped by accident on an internal bridge between two research buildings, according to Dr. Landon King, executive vice dean of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Hazardous materials crews and tuberculosis experts investigated, King said, and they determined there was no risk after the tube containing the small sample was dropped and the lid came off, with a few drops released.

The potential exposure to the disease occurred on a bridge between two cancer research buildings in the 1500 block of Jefferson Street, hospital officials told WBAL before 1:15 p.m.

Here is a statement regarding the incident at @HopkinsMedicine. @BaltimoreFire continues to operate on the scene along with Johns Hopkins Senior Staff. Media contact is BCFD or Johns Hopkins. pic.twitter.com/HHHTTZCz95
— Baltimore OEM (@BaltimoreOEM) July 5, 2018

Tuberculosis is a disease that can be fatal if untreated. It attacks the lungs and is transmitted through the air.

The WJZ news helicopter captured the scene from overhead, with workers evacuating and first responders converging in the area.

The incident occurred in a building where cancer research was being done, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Police have blocked the area around the cancer research center at Johns Hopkins Hospital due to a hazmat situation. Updates coming pic.twitter.com/jZW6RWFV5M
— Lauren Lumpkin (@lauren_lumps) July 5, 2018