Plum Island Animal Disease Center

The Plum Island Animal Disease Center is a United States federal research facility dedicated to the study of animal diseases, particularly foreign animal disease threats. Much of the government work related to foot-and-mouth disease and mad cow disease was conducted at Plum Island.

Related Topics:
United States - Foot-and-mouth disease - Mad cow disease

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Research on a large variety of animal diseases is done here, including animal-testing and genetic manipulation of diseases. Although it has officially been a facility of the Department of Agriculture until it's inclusion under the Department of Homeland Security, it has been used for decades for military research as well, including research on a vaccine-resistant strain of the Anthrax virus to be used as a bio-weapon, and other animal-borne diseases that can be transferred to humans. It is one of only a handful of research centers worldwide to have biosafety_level 4 containment facilities.

Related Topics:
Department of Agriculture - Department of Homeland Security - Vaccine - Anthrax - Biosafety_level

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The center is located on Plum Island, off the northeast coast of Long Island in New York state. This site was chosen as a bio-threat research center partly for it's prevailing off-land winds and the fact that it was already federal property. It is strictly off limits to civilians, and personnel and supplies are transported to and from the island by ferries.

Related Topics:
Plum Island - Long Island - New York

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In 2002, the Plum Island Animal Disease Center was transferred from the United States Department of Agriculture to the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Related Topics:
2002 - United States Department of Agriculture - United States Department of Homeland Security

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