UTAH — Officials say biological warfare scientists accidentally shipped deadly live anthrax spores to other military labs across the United States.
CNN broke the news that the samples were inadvertently shipped between a site in Dugway, Utah, and labs in nine other states.
The Pentagon has confirmed the incident, saying that the samples were supposed to be inactive and has insisted that there was no risk to the public.
“We are collaborating with the CDC. We are investigating the inadvertent transfer of live anthrax from a DOD lab in Utah,” a Pentagon spokesman said.
Anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacterium. It mainly affects animals. Humans can become infected through contact with an infected animal or by inhaling spores.
Symptoms depend on the route of infection. They can range from a skin ulcer with a dark scab to difficulty breathing.
Antibiotic treatment cures most infections. Inhaled anthrax is harder to treat and can be fatal.
