Dec 10, 2005 12:25
Mice Infected with Bubonic Plague Missing
NEWARK, N.J. -- Three mice infected with the bacteria responsible for
bubonic plague apparently disappeared from a laboratory about two weeks
ago, and authorities launched a search though health experts said there
was scant public risk.
The mice were unaccounted-for at the Public Health Research Institute,
which is on the campus of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of
New Jersey and conducts bioterrorism research for the federal
government.
Federal official said the mice may never be accounted for. Among other
things, the rodents may have been stolen, eaten by other lab animals or
just misplaced in a paperwork error.
(From the Washington Post, September 16, 2005)
I'm sure enough time has passed for those mice to have caught a plane
to California where they are hiding under my bed and laughing
infectiously.