tiy might have been averted; the outbreak was 

 traced to contaminated imported smallpox vac- 

 cine, which was propagated in calves. 



New disinfectants and sterilization techniques' 

 also are evaluated to assist the work of control 

 agencies dealing with foreign animal diseases. 



RESEARCH WITH SAFETY 



Because of the communicability of the diseases 

 under study, the laboratory operates under rigid 

 safety regulations. These regulations are de- 

 signed to protect the U.S. livestock industry from 

 foreign animal diseases by preventing the escape 

 of disease-causing agents from the laboratory 

 Ijuildings. They also protect experimental 

 studies by preventing the spread of disease agents 

 from one research area to another, and by pre- 

 venting the accidental introduction of extraneous 

 diseases not under study. 



The two main buildings on Plum Island, which 

 were specifically designed for reseaich on highly 

 communicable diseases, are considered among 

 the safest in the world for work on animal viruses. 



All entrances and exists for personnel, ani- 

 mals, and supplies are strictly controlled. Ex- 

 haust air from these buildings is decontaminated 

 through a system of filters, and all liquid wastes 

 are sterilized by heat before being discharged. 

 Solid wastes — including animal carcasses — are 

 destroyed by incineration within the research 

 buildings. 



Persons entering the research buildings must 

 leave street clothing and personal belongings in 

 outer locker rooms and use laboratoiy clothing 

 while in the building. Upon leaving, each per- 

 son must take a complete shower before putting 

 on his street clothing. 



The Federal Government controls all move- 

 ment to, from, and on the island. Only author- 

 ized persons are permitted entry to the island: 

 entrance to laboratories and animal quarantine 

 areas is restricted. 



All personnel of the laboratory are prohibited 

 from contact with susceptible species of animals, 

 or premises where such animals are held, for 

 specified periods of time after leaving the island. 



LONG ISLAND SOUND 



The Plum Island Animal Disease Laboratory facilities occupy all of Plum Island except for a U.S. 

 Coast Guard lighthouse station. The larjie research building, opened in 19.'S6, is at upper left. 

 A smaller research building, where work was started in 1954, is at lower left. 



10 



