Researcher dies after exposure to plague bacteria Officials say 'does not appear to be a threat to the public'

A University of Chicago molecular genetics professor studying the origins of harmful bacteria died last weekend after contracting an infection linked to the plague, officials said today.


University hospital officials said there "does not appear to be a threat to the public" following the death of Malcolm J. Casadaban, 60, at the campus' Bernard Mitchell Hospital on Sept. 13.

None of the people the researcher had contact with has reported illness and symptoms typically develop within 2 to 10 days, officials said.

The researcher was studying a weakened laboratory strain of Yersinia pestis that lacked the plague bacteria's harmful components, officials said.

Further study is under way after initial autopsy showed no obvious cause of death other than the presence of the bacteria.
Underlying health conditions could potentially increase susceptibility to infections, officials said. ....