CDC closes botulin probe at Tufts' veterinary school

North Grafton, Mass.

- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) closed its investigation of a recent botulin toxin scare at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

The CDC began the probe last month after a routine inventory at a school lab showed that the liquid in an unspecified number of vials containing the botulin had dried up. Additional testing indicated that, although the liquid containing the toxin evaporated, none of the toxin itself was released, according to the school.

There was no threat to public health, according to Tom Keppeler, a Tufts' spokesman. The amount of toxin that evaporated was equal to about one teaspoon, and had been stored in an older style of vial with an o-ring seal that is no longer used at the school.

The school followed appropriate procedures for alerting federal, state and local officials, and the CDC and the FBI concluded their investigations. The CDC classified the incident as "routine," and the FBI will not take any action.