Despite rumors to the contrary, the Galveston National Lab (GNL) has suffered no damage as far as we can see. The building was at the end phase of construction. There was no research taking place and no one is occupying the building.
The Keiller Building did experience some flooding in the basement but the rest of the facility is fine. There has been no loss of biocontainment or biosecurity. All labs were decontaminated and secured prior to the arrival of the storm. All agents have been stored in proper containers. The Shope Lab within the Keiller Building also remains secure.
UTMB Emergency Operations Center
Any news or assessment on the Primary Care Pavilion?
How many animals were sacrificed at the Keiller Building and other high containment labs prior to the arrival of Ike, and what was the overall cost to the public of the numerous experiments that were canceled as a result of the need to lock down these facilities?
Also, it is stated that the new BSL-4 lab is intact “as far as we can see”. Does this mean that the appraisal has only been made from the exterior and that nobody has in fact been able to assess for possible damage inside the building, e.g. flooding?
Finally, what systems are located in the basement of the Keiller Building? For example, HVAC / HEPA, power systems, effluent systems (from high containment labs), etc.
As a former student at UTMB I would like to thank those who have been keeping us abreast of the status of the school. UTMB will always be a special place for me and I am glad that it seems to have withstood Ike.
The Alert page on the website is very helpful. For all of us who are no longer in the Galveston area, it has kept us well informed. I hope to see further information about all of the areas on campus.
Thank you
Enjoying reading your blog. Hard work always pays off.