A potentially deadly bacteria has been accidentally released from a high-security research laboratory leading to serious safety fears . The Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria was found in animals at the Tulane National Primate Research Center in Louisiana , which is just 35 miles north of New Orleans . The bacteria , primarily found in south-east Asia , can spread to animals and humans through direct contact with contaminated soil and water . A potentially deadly bacteria has been accidentally released from a high-security research laboratory leading to serious safety fears ( stock image ) But despite thorough investigations by multiple authorities the cause of the release and extent of the contamination are still unknown . It is the latest in a series of significant accidents that have taken place across the country . Richard Ebright , a biosafety expert from Rutgers University in New Jersey , said the release was worrying . Burkholderia pseudomallei can cause a potentially serious disease in people and animals called melioidosis . Melioidosis commonly involves the lungs and has a wide range of symptoms including fever , headache , loss of appetite , muscle and joint pain . It is often mistaken as pneumonia or tuberculosis . Several countries have studied using the bacteria as a bioweapon because strains can be resistant to multiple antibiotics . If the disease is left untreated it is fatal . The overall mortality rate is 40 per cent but in Thailand , where the bacteria is endemic , it is up to 50 per cent . Confirmed infections are relatively rare . 'The fact that they ca n't identify how this release occurred is very concerning , ' he told USA Today . 'Human error is always the first explanation you should consider for a laboratory accident . The easiest way to transfer something from one place where it 's supposed to be , to another where it is n't supposed to be is by a worker moving from one place to the other . ' Research was being completed at the center using rodents to try and find a vaccine against the bacteria . But at least four rhesus macaques - monkeys that were kept in a separate part of the 500-acre facility - have been accidentally exposed to it . The first was discovered nearly three months ago in November and two have since died . All four were in the center 's veterinary hospital at the same time , leading to speculation that it could have been where the animals were exposed . At least four rhesus macaques - monkeys that were kept in a separate part of the 500-acre facility - have been exposed to the bacteria ( stock image ) But one US Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) investigator was also hospitalised after blood tests showed she had antibodies indicating a current or prior exposure to the bacteria . She is now recovering . Authorities are concerned that too few samples have been taken to decide whether livestock and domestic animals are at risk . Only 39 soil samples were taken from the grounds - far less than the 100 recommended by previous research completed in Thailand . Andrew Lackner , director of the center , said : 'We 're taking this extraordinarily seriously . It 's very disturbing to us . 'There has never been a public health threat . '
Bacteria released by Tulane National Primate Research Center , Louisiana . Burkholderia pseudomallei causes potentially fatal infectious disease . Spreads to animals and humans through contaminated soil and water . one monkeys have died from disease and Two investigator hospitalised . Center treating release as 'serious ' but denies any public health threat .