The Pentagon has found a U.S. military base in Utah accidently sent live anthrax samples to more labs than previously estimated, according to a Reuters report.
Here are five things to know.
1. Originally, investigators believed the military base accidentally recently shipped live anthrax to labs in nine states and a military base in South Korea.
2. Now, investigators are saying the base sent live anthrax samples to 51 labs in 17 states, Washington, D.C., and three foreign nations, and those numbers may rise as more labs realize the samples they are receiving contain anthrax that is not inactivated.
3. Pentagon officials announced investigators are trying to ascertain whether the shipments of the pathogen — which can be used as a biological weapon — stemmed from quality control problems at the base, the Dugway Proving Ground.
4. So far, no one at the labs has been infected and there is no known risk to the public.
5. Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work assured the public there is absolutely nothing to indicate that the live shipments were sent by somebody deliberately.
For more Pentagon findings or to read the list of states where the labs that were sent live anthrax are located, click here.
More articles:
5 things to know on how US military sent live anthrax to labs by accident
Sterility concerns lead Baxter to recall nearly 600k units of saline injection
CDC lab tech exposed to Ebola showing no signs of disease