Lab at Duke School of Medicine suspends operations; lab worked on cadavers with pathogens, school says

The Duke University School of Medicine announced Tuesday it has temporarily suspended operations at an anatomy training lab.

According to officials with the Duke University School of Medicine, the university identified 13 cadavers that tested positive for pathogens at “certain points” between 2019 and 2023.

The school said the cadavers were allowed to be used in the lab, which is a violation of procedures.

The school said the risk to workers working with cadaver tissue was low because they were wearing personal protective equipment.

The school reported no known infections, adding the findings only apply to the laboratory setting and not Duke hospitals or clinics.

While the risk of infection is low, the university mailed letters to approximately 700 people who it believes might have worked in the lab.

The school said it would test for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, syphilis and HIV.

The lab will reopen once the School of Medicine officials say they are satisfied the lab can operate following all safety protocols.