19-05-2025
No illness reported after hundreds at North Canaan facility decontaminated
NORTH CANAAN, Conn. (WTNH) — North Canaan town officials say no symptoms or sicknesses have been reported by employees forced through a decontamination process last week.
More than 300 Becton-Dickinson facility personnel had to use decontamination showers and change clothes to go home Thursday after a suspicious package was discovered at their workplace.
Over 300 people 'decontaminated' due to suspicious package incident in North Canaan
The facility is back to operating normally Monday, amid an ongoing law enforcement investigation.
Town officials said normal operations won't affect the investigation, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and local and state agencies.
Since being discovered, the Department of Public Health confirmed the package has tested negative for anthrax, burkholderia species, plague, tularemia, and smallpox. A negative Ricin test was confirmed, along with a Day 2 culture test which resulted in 'no growth.'
Officials said the incident was isolated to the facility and there is no risk to the public or adjacent properties.
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