National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF)

The dedication and ribbon-cutting to open the $1.25 billion National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS, was held during the run-up to Memorial Day. But the Plum Island Animal Disease Center remains open as the new NBAF won’t be handling those dangerous animal pathogens for maybe a year.

The U.S.

Continue Reading USDA turns the lights on at the new bio-level 4 lab but keeps Plum Island running for now

The USDA has named the executive director of Canada’s National Centers for Animal Disease to head the new U.S. National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS.

Dr. Alfonso Clavijo’s appointment as NBAF’s first director is the latest indication that USDA’s long transition from conducting its most dangerous animal
Continue Reading USDA names director for animal disease lab under construction

The USDA will operate the new $1.25 billion biosafety level-4 laboratories the federal government is building in Manhattan, KS. A biosafety level 4 laboratory provides the highest level of containment facilities to isolate the most dangerous biological agents, meaning those with high fatality rates and no known treatments, such as
Continue Reading USDA will operate new lab for most dangerous biological agents