A Defence Department investigation has confirmed deadly anthrax shipped to Australia by the US military as part of a bungled research operation into biological weapons was still live when it arrived.
The department told The Weekend West  a recently completed inquiry found live anthrax spores were accidentally sent to Australia in 2008 by a US Army research centre in Utah.
But perhaps more worryingly, investigators discovered the anthrax held in Australia was still active almost seven years after being sent.
â€oeThe analysis of current holdings confirmed the existence of some live anthrax spores,â€ the Defence Department said.
It was revealed this year that the US Army had shipped live anthrax spores to labs in the US and to allies overseas in what the Pentagon admitted was a â€oemassive institutional failureâ€.
The samples were supposed to have been rendered inert before being sent after being doused in radiation, but many of the spores did not die as expected.
It is unclear why the anthrax was  shipped to Australia, but US reports suggest labs around the world were being asked to help develop field kits to help armies detect biological weapon attacks.
Anthrax is considered a â€oeTier 1â€ biological agent that can quickly kill a human  if inhaled.
It is manufactured by some countries for use on the battlefield.
The Defence Department said the US anthrax samples were sent to Australiaâ€[TM]s Defence Science and Technology Organisation, though did not specify which office.
DSTO has research facilities in most States, including WA.
Defence said no staff came into direct contact with the samples and strict safety standards were followed at all times.
â€oe(DSTO) maintains a research capability to analyse materials relevant to chemicalbiological warfare agents to protect Defence personnel and the Australian community against their potential use,â€ the department said.
 â€oeAnthrax infection requires direct contact with the anthrax spores.
â€oeAll (DSTO) samples of this kind are stored in a secure and appropriate environment as required by Australian biosafety regulations.â€
The US Armyâ€[TM]s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah is the hub for the Pentagonâ€[TM]s chemical and biological weapons programs.