Container of swine virus explodes on Swiss train

Container of swine virus explodes on Swiss train

Reuters

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A container of flu virus samples packed in dry ice exploded on a Swiss train, injuring one person but posing no other risks to humans, police said on Tuesday. Skip related content

The box held vials of swine flu virus, although a different strain than the H1N1 variety that has caused about 150 deaths in Mexico and infected people in the United States, Canada, Spain and Britain.

A technician was transporting the container on Monday night to the Swiss national flu centre in Geneva, where scientists are developing a flu test for humans, police said.

One woman was hurt when the box exploded in reaction to the dry ice used to keep the samples cold.

After consulting virus specialists, the police decided to stop the St. Gallen to Geneva train before it entered the station in Lausanne.

The virus specialists confirmed that the samples being transported posed no risks to humans, police said.

(Reporting by Sven Egenter; Editing by Laura MacInnis)