Worker Accidentally Injects Herself With Genetically Modified Strain Of Smallpox-Related Virus

September 2018, a 26-year-old laboratory worker was offered a new job that would involve working with the vaccinia virus (VACV) – a large, complex virus related to smallpox.

She was told of the risks involved in working with VACV and given the option of receiving a vaccination against it, but ultimately declined, citing concerns about potential adverse effects of the vaccination and problems managing the infectious lesion at the site of the vaccination in her decision not to vaccinate.

she accidentally pricked herself with a needle containing a potentially genetically altered strain of VACV after attempting to inject it into the tail of a mouse.

On day 12, she was taken to the emergency department with fever, swollen lymph nodes, pain, and a worsening of the infection in her finger.

She was given vaccinia antibodies to help her immune system fight off the virus, as well as antibiotics for a possible secondary infection in her open wound. Her fever and pain went down over the next 48 hours, though her infection didn't clear up until day 94.