Three Plague-Infected Lab Mice Missing

Three laboratory mice infected with the bacteria responsible for bubonic plague are missing from a bioterrorism-research facility in Newark, sparking an investigation by federal and state authorities.

Officials said the animals could have been stolen from the center, one of the top-level biocontainment labs in New Jersey — or simply misplaced. The discovery occurred more than two weeks ago and was confirmed Wednesday after questions were raised by The Star-Ledger newspaper.

State Health Commissioner Fred Jacobs said mice infected with plague bacteria die "very fast," so "the risk to the public ... is probably slim to none."

The lab is on the campus of the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. It is run by the Public Health Research Institute, a leading center for research on infectious diseases participating in a six-year, federal biodefense project to find new vaccinations for plague, which officials fear could be used as a weapon.

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Source: Seattle Times