Davis sees no cover-up in investigation

By: Calli Turner

Posted: 7/3/07

Interim President Eddie J. Davis said the brucella and Q fever exposures were never a threat to public health outside the laboratories.

Davis has been facing much speculation and general confusion over the University's safety measures since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's initial investigation in April. He spoke with the media in a news conference Monday to discuss the investigations and research ban.

"This was a safety and reporting issue, not a public health issue," he said. "There were never any public health hazards external to anyone in the laboratory."

The CDC suspended A&M's homeland security-related research Saturday, following recent investigations involving exposure to bioterrorism agents brucella and Q fever.

The Q fever investigation was sparked by Sunshine Project Director Edward Hammond's allegations that A&M failed to report the Q fever exposure while the CDC was on campus investigating the brucella incident.

"The infection should not have happened if their safety protocols were adequate and were followed, and Texas A&M violated federal bioterrorism law by not reporting the infection. That's a pretty serious matter and I fully expect them to be penalized by the federal government for it," Hammond said.

Davis said while the University was at fault, there was no scheme to hide the incidents. "There was a clear screw-up. I don't see a cover-up," he said.

Davis said the University did not fail to report the original brucella incident, because the CDC set no guidelines at the time.

On April 17, the University reported the elevated titer levels in the three individuals working with Q fever to the CDC. The University also requested a more in-depth safety protocol to follow.

Davis said taking this extra measure led to the current investigation. "It seemed to be an error of judgment to report it the second time," he said.

He said the ban, which includes Q fever and brucella, includes five laboratories, four principal investigators and approximately 120 people involved with the research. A&M has conducted internal reviews and has brought in a third party to conduct an additional review.

"We're not going to make any personnel actions or modifications until we get the review," Davis said.

The principal investigator, who dealt with the brucella, is on administrative leave while the investigation is underway.

Ross Shockley, a senior biology major, said the banned research is important to the University and that his greatest concern is whether the investigations will affect A&M's chances for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

"I think it will be huge for A&M to get that. It's equitable to the George Bush Library in importance," Shockley said.

The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility has been the keyword during the dealings with the CDC. A&M currently has a bid for the Homeland Security facility and Davis said the investigations and restriction were not related. "This is an independent review of a failure to report an incident," he said.

Davis said the CDC incidents should not affect chances to have the facility and that the investigations have strengthened the bio-defense research's procedures and training.

"It seems a bit over-the-top to say it would jeopardize our chances," Davis said.

The CDC will be on campus between July 9 to July 23 to deal with the current investigation, at which time A&M officials will know greater details about the ban and the possibility of additional penalties.