Timeline

Early 1940s: The US builds a biological weapons laboratory named Camp Detrick in Maryland.

World War II: It becomes the center of intensive bioweapons research using various deadly pathogens.

1956: The base is designated a permanent installation for biological research and is renamed Fort Detrick.

2001: Deadly anthrax attacks; Fort Detrick researcher later suspected of involvement.

1992-2011: There are 2,247 recorded cancer cases from the Fort Detrick area, and more than 5,600 people sign a petition calling for an investigation.

July 2019: The institute is shut over security concerns, but the exact reasons are not made public.

March 2020: The Centers for Disease Control clears the facility to be reopened.