Scientist isolated for Ebola quarantine

A Fort Detrick scientist has been isolated as a precaution after she grazed her hand with a needle while working with mice infected with a weakened form of the Ebola virus.

Officials at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases said the woman, a civilian, has no signs of illness. And based on preliminary tests, officials believe the risk of Ebola infection is low.

The incident occurred on Feb. 11. The woman was conducting a study to test potential treatments for Ebola when she grazed her hand with the needle she was using to inject mice.

The animals had been infected two days earlier with a low dose of the weakened Ebola virus.

The scientist was admitted to a containment care suite for observation and monitoring, reports &to=http://www.baltimoresun.com' target=_blank>Baltimoresun.com

The woman has shown no signs of the fatal illness, but will remain at Fort Detrick for up to 30 days of isolation.

Local government officials have been notified, but no one else is believed to have been exposed.

The Ebola virus, named for the river in Africa where it first struck nearly 30 years ago, causes high fever, a rash, and bleeding from the internal organs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incubation period is between two and 21 days, but a small number of people who have been exposed have been found not susceptible to serious effects. In addition to exposure through a cut, scrape, or injection, it can be passed person-to-person through body secretions, inform &to=http://www.cnn.com' target=_blank>CNN.com