I would actually consider it to be a very good thing if the accident happened to destroy the Russians’ stock of smallpox virus. That wouldn’t make it absolutely impossible for them to use the virus as a weapon in the future, but it would make it a lot harder. Unfortunately, though, no matter what happened at that facility they undoubtedly have stock(s) in one or more other locations—despite agreements to the contrary.

The Soviets are known to have had a biological weapons program long after they agreed to give it up, and I have no doubt that the Russians would resurrect it in a moment if they felt it was in their interest. And that assumes they don’t already have one.

No, really (cough, hack, HACK, Cough),...I'm fine!!!

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
<snip>

“A cylinder exploded in lab which is one of two places in the world that houses the smallpox disease”.

Guess where the other is?

Atlanta?

Correct. The CDC has samples in storage.

“USAMRIID?”

Not officially; I wouldn’t be shocked, however, to hear Ft. Dietrich has a stash on ice- but not for the same reasons as the Russians.