// Risk Intelligence
| Risk Score | 8 / 10 High |
| Facility Type | 🏥 Major Hospital / Trauma Center |
| Operator / Branch | US Department of Homeland Security / USDA |
| Host County | Suffolk County NY |
| Nearest City | Washington DC |
| Primary Risk Radius | 5 miles |
| Secondary Risk Radius | 15 miles |
// Strategic Significance
Plum Island Animal Disease Center off the coast of Long Island New York is the primary US research facility for foreign animal diseases including foot-and-mouth disease which is not present in the US. A deliberate release of foot-and-mouth disease from Plum Island or from a terrorist using stolen samples would devastate US livestock agriculture. Foot-and-mouth disease spreads rapidly through cattle swine and sheep and a US outbreak would cost tens of billions of dollars and require mass animal slaughter. The facility is being replaced by the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility NBAF in Manhattan Kansas.
// Civilian Impact Assessment
Suffolk County with 1.5 million residents and US livestock agriculture. A foot-and-mouth disease release would devastate US beef pork and sheep agriculture. An outbreak would cost tens of billions and require mass animal slaughter. The island location provides some biosafety isolation but also complicates emergency response.
// Evacuation & Shelter Guidance
Ferry from Orient Point, Long Island Sound. Suffolk County Emergency Management USDA and DHS coordinate animal disease release terrorism and agricultural biosecurity protocols.