Pepper spray may have caused ER shutdown

Ailments that temporarily shut down a hospital's emergency room may have been caused by pepper spray.



The St. Joseph Hospital London closed its ER briefly Sunday after a family from Jackson County came in complaining of headaches, shortness of breath, throat irritation and a burning sensation — and then emergency workers came down with the same symptoms.



The family told hospital workers they thought their symptoms started after coming into contact with a stray dog.



The Jackson County emergency management director told WKYT-TV that initial tests on the animal show the chemical may have been pepper spray

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Laurel County Sheriff's officials said a family of five from McKee came to St. Joseph Hospital London Sunday evening, complaining of similar symptoms. While a doctor and three other emergency room workers treated the family, the medical personnel experienced the symptoms, which included headache, shortness of breath, throat irritation and a burning sensation.

All nine people were decontaminated and have improved. The emergency room reopened.