Illegal Laboratory Found in Fresno County, California
Illegal Laboratory Found in Fresno County, California
Local and federal authorities have spent months investigating a warehouse in Fresno County, California, that they suspect was home to an illegal, unlicensed laboratory full of lab mice, medical waste, and hazardous materials.
The Fresno County Public Health Department has been evaluating the activities of the unlicensed laboratory in Reedley. All of the biological agents were destroyed by July 7 following a legal abatement process by the agency.
Fresno County Public Health Department Evaluates Unlicensed Laboratory
According to court documents, city officials inspected the location and found various chemicals being stored. An inspection by county public health officials allegedly turned up medical devices thought to have been developed on-site.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested the substances and detected at least 20 potentially infectious agents. An investigation found the tenant was Prestige BioTech, a company registered in Nevada and unlicensed for business in California.
Biological Agents Destroyed Following Legal Abatement Process
Prestige BioTech is accused of failing to comply with orders, including providing a plan for biological abatement and disposal of the materials. Officials have cleared the area of hazardous materials but are still working to empty the warehouse.