Army halts lab operations as anthrax probe continues

WASHINGTON – Army Secretary John McHugh is suspending operations at four Defense Department laboratories that handle biological toxins, as the military scrambles to correct problems that led to the accidental shipment of live anthrax to dozens of labs around the country and the world.

McHugh is also directing a broad safety review at a total of nine department labs involved in the production, shipment or handling of biological toxins. He ordered a report within the next 10 days.

The labs under review in the U.S. are in Ohio, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia and Utah. Others are in Egypt and Peru.

The order expands the moratorium announced in July, which suspended activities with anthrax. Labs must review their training including on safety procedures, equipment maintenance and record keeping.