Spy poisoning: Diners told to wash possessions but health bosses insist risk 'very low'
New post
Spy poisoning: Diners told to wash possessions but health bosses insist risk 'very low'
Video:Advice for public as nerve agent traces found
Hundreds of people have been told to wash their possessions following the discovery of traces of a nerve agent in Salisbury - but health officials insist the risk to the public is still "very low".
Public Health England (PHE) issued "precautionary advice" a week after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a bench in the Wiltshire city.
This was in response to traces of a nerve agent being discovered at The Mill pub and the nearby Zizzi restaurant, both of which the pair visited.
Image:Traces of a nerve agent were also found at The Mill pub
PHE said those who visited the pub between 1.30pm last Sunday and 11.10pm on Monday, and the restaurant between 1.30pm on Sunday and 9pm the next day, should take action.
This includes: :: Machine washing clothes worn that day :: Double-bagging clothes worn that day which would normally be dry cleaned and wait for further advice :: Wiping possessions such as mobile phones, purses and wallets with baby wipes :: Hand washing jewellery
A source at Zizzi has told Sky News that the possessions and work clothes of staff were removed by authorities and burned in the wake of the poisoning.
Dr Jenny Harries, joint director at PHE England, defended the decision to issue the guidance a week after the poisoning.
Video:Fears and nervousness in Salisbury
She said: "It's really important to understand the general public should not be concerned. There is, on the evidence currently, a very low risk.
"We work with our colleagues here on a continuous risk assessment basis. When we get new information we continuously risk-assess groups of people who may have become exposed, from the evidence we have in front of us.
"As new evidence becomes available, we act on that immediately. Most people who will have been at the pub will have washed the clothes they were in.
"The immediate risk - we're not anticipating, on our current evidence, seeing new patients coming forward.
"This is about a very, very small risk of repetitive contact with traces of contamination that people may have taken out.
"The advice we're giving today about washing clothes - very simple things... that will remove that risk as we go forward."
Fewer than 500 people would have been in either venue, according to chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies.
She said: "Rigorous scientific analysis continues, but we have now learnt that there has been some trace contamination by the nerve agent in both The Mill pub and Zizzi's restaurant in Salisbury.
"I am confident this has not harmed the health of anyone who was in The Mill pub or Zizzi's restaurant.
"However, some people are concerned that prolonged long-term exposure to these substances may, over weeks and particularly months, give rise to health problems.
"I'm therefore advising - as a belt and braces approach - that people who were in [Zizzi's or the Mill during the specified times]... should clean the clothes they wore and the possessions they handled while there.
"This is precautionary advice aimed at only those people who were at the venues at these times, which I believe to be below 500 people."
Video:People 'do survive' exposure to nerve agents
Mr Skripal, 66, and his daughter, 33, remain in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
Detective Sergeant Nick Bailey - who was taken to hospital after falling seriously ill when he responded to the emergency - is conscious and in a serious but stable condition.
The pub and restaurant are among a number of locations that have been cordoned off across the city
Chicken Miso Meatballs Ground chicken bosom meat is genuinely lean, so milk is added to this formula to keep them damp and delicate. As the meatballs prepare, the miso caramelizes into exquisite chomps of sweet-pungent umami. Disintegrated Ritz wafers add lavishness and make a more succulent meatball (however plain, dry bread pieces will likewise work). To make the Ritz morsels, place the wafers in a resealable plastic pack and delicately squash them with the rear of a wooden spoon or estimating cup. These additionally make a scrumptious hors d'oeuvre: Simply fold the blend into more modest 1-inch balls. For a fast plunging sauce, join 2 sections soy sauce to 1 section refined white vinegar, and add cut scallions, or red-pepper pieces, assuming you like hotness. INGREDIENTS ¼ cup whole milk 3 tablespoons sweet white miso 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 teaspoons kosher salt ¾ teaspoon black pepper ½ cup finely crushed Ritz c...
Raspberry Macarons Time : About 2 ½ hours, plus at least 24 hours chilling These macarons' recipe include a little amount of finely chopped freeze-dried raspberries, which lends an unexpected tart fruitiness. Just keep in mind that it can also encourage the shells to brown very rapidly, so if the first batch starts to get a little golden, lower the oven's temperature for the second batch by around 25 degrees. Also try the Chocolate Macarons INGREDIENTS Yield: 23 macarons FOR THE BATTER 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons/130 grams confectioners’ sugar ¾ cup/85 grams superfine blanched almond flour ½ cup/14 grams freeze-dried raspberries Lemon wedge (optional), for cleaning bowl 3 large egg whites (90 grams), at room temperature ½ teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) 6 tablespoons/75 grams granulated sugar Red gel food coloring (optional) FOR THE FILLING 4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) ⅓ ...
New post North Korea tests completed Yongbyon nuclear reactor, say analysts Image: Experts say recent satellite imagery shows testing has begun at the Yongbyon reactor North Korea has begun testing a nuclear reactor that could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, according to intelligence analysts. The country has been developing an experimental light water reactor at the Yongbyon Atomic Energy Research Centre for several years, but activity is said to have increased in recent months. Experts say recent satellite imagery shows the reactor has been structurally finished and there is evidence testing has begun. According to a report by intelligence analysts Jane's Intelligence Review, the imagery showed emissions on non-condensable gases from a stack at the reactor. Although the reactor could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, North Korea is believed to already have enough fissile material for several nuclear bombs. Construction of the...
Grand Green Aioli TIME : 15 minutes "Le grand aioli" is a traditional Provençal dish made out of steamed seafood, vegetables, and a creamy, lemony aioli for dipping. Here, fresh parsley gives the sauce a bright color. In order to keep it vegetarian, this summertime dish includes a vibrant combination of crunchy veggies, crisp lettuces, and steamed, nutty edamame. However, dipping options like poached shrimp, rotisserie chicken, canned tuna, and hard-boiled eggs are all welcome. This dish is ideal for a festive gathering or a stress-free evening dinner because it only requires a brief boil. Aioli leftovers make a fantastic sandwich spread and a flexible dressing for pasta salad or roasted potatoes. INGREDIENTS Yield : 4 servings FOR THE VEGETABLES Kosher salt 1pound frozen edamame in pods 2½pounds vegetables, such as trimmed green beans or haricots verts, snap peas, asparagus, radishes, bell peppers (cut into strips), carrots or cucumbers (cut into sticks), fennel (cut into...
Comments
Post a Comment
comments below