What is anthrax, how could it be used in warfare and what was the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle threat?
ANTHRAX is an infectious disease which has been developed into a potentially devastating biological weapon by a number of countries.
This is how anthrax develops, what causes it, what the symptoms are and what happened on the Scottish island of Gruinard.
British troops vaccinated against anthrax
Thousands of British soldiers are to be vaccinated against anthrax poisoning in a direct response to the recent nerve agent attack in Salisbury.
The move was announced by the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson on March 15.
The announcement was part of a wider £48million investment in a “cutting-edge” Chemical Weapons Defence Centre at Porton Down in Wiltshire.
Earlier in the week, senior MOD officials admitted that the military's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) capabilities have been "overlooked" in recent years and will almost certainly receive more funding as a result of the ongoing defence review.
The anthrax jab will allow fast-response troops to be deployed to the scene of a chemical attack.
The American Department of Defence already has a policy of mandatory anthrax vaccinations for its servicemen deployed overseas.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
It can be contracted by touching a contaminated surface or by eating food with just a few spores in it.
But if inhaled it kills about 95 per cent of patients, even with medical treatment.
What are the symptoms?
An early sign you have got anthrax is a small black blister.
Within hours a fever comes on and the patient will start bleeding to death inside.
Blood can be seen seeping out of your ears, nose and mouth.
It occurs naturally, at low levels, in animals such as cattle and sheep.
It is rare in humans. In 2006 an artist from Hawick in the Scottish borders was the first to die from the disease in Britain for 32 years.
A musician from London died in 2008.
In both cases, the men were thought to have caught the disease from imported animal skins.
The last case in animals in Britain was also in 2006, when two cows died on a farm in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales.
All unexplained deaths of cattle are investigated for anthrax.
The death of 100 hippos covered in bruises and unexplained marks in a river in Namibia was thought to be from anthrax, although government officials said they died of natural causes.
What was the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle threat?
Cops launched an urgent investigation after a letter containing white powder was addressed to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace.
The letter was intercepted before reaching the couple but a full security scare was sparked over fears it could contain anthrax.
Meghan and Harry are believed to have been informed of the incident, reports.
Tests revealed the powder was harmless but Scotland Yard is now said to be on high alert ahead of the royal wedding in May.
Kensington Palace did not wish to comment.
How could anthrax be used in warfare?
Japan was the first country to use anthrax as a weapon on human beings.
It was used in Manchuria in the 1930s and some 10,000 deliberately infected prisoners were thought to have died.
The deadly germ can be packed into missile warheads or canisters which can be dropped from a plane.
It is feared North Korea could be developing bio-weapons to use against US troops.
What happened on Gruinard Island in Scotland?
Gruinard Island, off the North West coast of Scotland, was quarantined for 48 years after being contaminated by experimental anthrax bombs during the Second World War.
For five decades the place was out of bounds because it was sealed off.
If stepped ashore you risked dying a very nasty death.
In 1990, following decontamination efforts – where topsoil was removed – the then junior Defence Minister, Michael Neubert declared the island safe.
Warning signs were removed but some at the time were not convinced.