The Army is investigating the possibility that a research lab in Maryland mishandled and shipped samples of the plague and encephalitis following concerns raised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is no indication any lab workers or others face a health risk, and the Army has implemented a hold on research at the lab, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said Sept. 9. The Pentagon is investigating whether? the samples were mislabeled. “What’s really important here, based on the Army’s assessment, based on the CDC’s assessment, is there is no public health threat,” Cook said. The disclosure comes as the Army is investigating how multiple labs misheld and shipped live anthrax samples to 51 facilities across the country and abroad. The Defense Department has maintained the anthrax shipments do not pose any threat to the public.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.