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🚨 Fresno County Supervisors Briefed on Developments of Illicit Lab in Reedley Reedley, California – The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has been updated on the status of an illicit bio-lab uncovered in Reedley. Discovered at the end of the previous year, the lab contained biological agents and nearly 1,000 mice. Unauthorized biological agents, including mice, samples of bodily fluids, and infectious diseases, were found on-site. Following the destruction of all biological agents at the property and the lab's exposure to the public, city and county officials are addressing the misinformation surrounding the facility and its impact on the community. During Tuesday's board meeting, the County Department of Public Health presented a breakdown of the lab's operational timeline and who was aware of its activities. Authorities revealed that federal officials instructed local jurisdictions to delay public notification until the nature of the situation was understood, emphasizing that public safety was never compromised throughout the process. Reedley City Manager, Nicole Zieba, expressed pride in the city's response, describing the lab's history of relocation after being banned in various locations. Zieba and Joe Prado from Fresno County Public Health recounted the history of Prestige Biotech/Universal Meditech in the Central Valley, starting in 2018 near South Fresno. Prado noted that mice were present during the company's time in Fresno and described subsequent events, including a fire, regulatory compliance issues, and the eventual discovery in Reedley. Specialty ultra-low temperature lab freezers designed to hold infectious agents were identified at the Reedley site. The facility was shut down in March after inspections revealed hazardous materials and unsafe conditions. Legal actions followed, resulting in the removal and destruction of biological materials by Fresno County and other agencies. Reedley's cleanup efforts are underway, and Zieba expressed hope for the facility to become an empty warehouse. Officials emphasized the need for bipartisan efforts, involving state and local representatives, to prevent similar illegal labs from operating. Addressing state and federal regulatory gaps that enable such businesses, Prado highlighted the challenges in taking action against the lab. Despite ongoing dismantlement, the lab had obtained a state medical waste generator permit, raising concerns about regulatory approval processes. Local officials are taking steps to prevent the lab's return and dispel misinformation surrounding its operations. Prado and Zieba underscored their commitment to evaluating resources and fee structures to prevent future incidents and ensure community safety at the local level. On the evening of August 8, 2023, at 7 pm, the Reedley City Council convened a meeting during which the briefing was relayed to those in attendance. The ongoing narrative is unfolding as the meeting remains underway. The chosen venue proved inadequate to host the influx of attendees. Those present in the audience were afforded the chance to pose questions and share their comments.