Elliot Hospital ER Sealed After Patient Releases White Powder

MANCHESTER, NH — Firefighters and hazmat teams in the Queen City have been sent to Elliot Hospital after people in the hospital’s emergency room were exposed to an unknown substance described as a white powder, according to reports and information from the scene. The incident occurred at just after 9 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2017. According to the hospital, a patient was brought by ambulance from the Manchester Police Department this morning.

While in the ER, the man reportedly ripped opened a bag with his teeth and the powder in the bag went airborne, according to Susanna Fier, the VP, Public Affairs & Marketing at the hospital. That area of the ER was closed off and staffers began cleaning up the mess, she said. Manchester Fire was also called in to take a sample of the powder.

About 30 minutes later, six people in the emergency room complained that they were “just not feeling right,” she noted. The symptoms were headaches, nausea, rapid heartbeats, high blood pressure, with the patients saying they felt “a little foggy.”

“Every one of the six are being observed,” Fier stated. “No one has needed any treatment.”

The ER is currently open, according to officials, and situation has been contained. The DEA is also at the scene investigating the situation including the samples of the powder.

Image via Jeffrey Hastings/www.frameofmindphoto.com, used with permission.

New Hampshire Patch.com will update when more information is available.