Galveston laboratory secures pathogens as Ike looms

(CNN) - A laboratory located in Galveston, Texas, and said to contain dangerous biological agents took measures Friday to secure the pathogens in the event of a strike by Hurricane Ike, officials said.

The Web site for the University of Texas Medical Branch/Galveston National Labs was completed and opened just recently.

It is one of the country's five Level-IV biosafety laboratories, the highest level. Such laboratories typically handle pathogens like smallpox, tularemia and anthrax to develop vaccines and antidotes.

The laboratory followed protocols for shutting, said Gretchen Michael, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

She said that, for security reasons, she would not detail the procedures or describe the agents.

But Andrew Barlow, a spokesman for Governor Perry, said all the pathogens were destroyed before the staff evacuated.