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Biosecurity Briefing
Ricin Discovered in Las Vegas Hotel Room; FBI Says Not Linked to Terrorism By Crystal Franco, February 29, 2008 On Thursday, February 28, 2008, CNN.com reported that police in Las Vegas, Nevada, are “investigating the discovery of . . . the deadly poison ricin in a hotel room.” The ricin was discovered Thursday afternoon in a small container and was brought to the attention of hotel staff and then local police. Seven people reportedly entered the hotel room where the ricin was found—three employees of the Extended Stay America Hotel, three police officers, and one other person. While none showed signs of ricin poisoning, the 7 were decontaminated and taken to a local hospital for observation.1 According to Captain Joe Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the hotel has been decontaminated as well.1 In an update, Reuters reported on Friday, February 29, that a man is currently hospitalized in “critical condition” with suspected ricin poisoning. The man is reported to have stayed in early February at the Extended Stay America Hotel in the room where the ricin was found, and was taken to a Hospital on February 14 complaining of “breathing difficulties.” According to Reuters, police were alerted about the ricin when the man’s friend came to pick up his belongings at the hotel on February 28 and found the substance.2 The FBI told Reuters that this is “not thought to be terrorism related.” However, the FBI is still unclear as to where the ricin came from or why it was there.2 For more information on ricin please see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) web page on Ricin or Ricin Fact Sheet, and for specific clinical information please visit the CDC page on Ricin: Information and Guidance for Clinicians. References
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