Anthrax bacteria have contaminated a leading US research centre twice in the last month. The US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Maryland is reeling after discovering traces of a dangerous anthrax strain outside a supposedly sealed, high-containment lab. Traces of another strain were found when the building was tested following the first leak. Anthrax experts fear that if such accidents can occur at the leading American anthrax facility, worse might happen in the 10 new high-containment labs planned under the US biodefence programme.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
US government wants to have a useful quantum computer by 2028
News
Life
Childbirth for many primate species is even harder than for humans
News
Humans
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
Features
91É«ÇéƬ
Your menstrual cycle may affect how well vaccines work
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Where, when and how to watch the 2026 solar eclipse
2
Our verdict on The Selfish Gene: An unpopular piece of popular science
3
Remote-controlled cockroach swarm can now breathe underwater
4
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
5
If you aren't terrified by this heatwave, you should be
6
Childbirth for many primate species is even harder than for humans
7
The best sci-fi novel in 2026 so far – plus 6 other great reads
8
Read an extract from The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks
9
Europe’s heatwave is the hottest and most humid ever
10
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
