Thirteen miles off the coast of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and a mile and a half off Long Island rests the Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), which has served as the nation’s premier defense against foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever (ASF).

The Animal Disease Center was opened by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1954 and has been under the control of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security since 2003.

The center researches animal pathogens to protect farmers, ranchers, and the national food supply. Because of the nature of the study, access to the island and the research facility is restricted. It's also become a breeding ground for evil conspiracy theories. Let's go find out what they are.

Plum Island

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