On Wednesday, Pentagon officials again raised the number of laboratories that were sent suspected live anthrax samples to at least 51 in 17 states plus Canada, Australia, and a U.S. military base in South Korea. That number will probably rise again, said Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, but "we know of no risk to the general public." The mistaken shipments of live anthrax dates back to 2005 or 2006, but the Pentagon only became aware of them on May 22.
No lab workers have shown symptoms of anthrax exposure, which can be fatal, but 31 are being monitored and treated with antibiotics or the anthrax vaccine. The anthrax spores in the samples were supposed to be killed by gamma rays before shipping from Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, and after they weren't, they were either not tested or improperly tested. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has completed its investigation into the mishaps, Work said, the Pentagon would hold people accountable for the errors.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
'The disconnect between actual health care and the insurance model is widening'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plantTalking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitionsThe Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
