1984 Rajneeshee bioterrorism

The 1984 Rajneeshee bioterrorism involved members of the religious group Rajneeshpuram deliberately contaminating salad bars in Oregon with Salmonella bacteria. They aimed to incapacitate voters and influence an upcoming local election in their favor. Over 750 people fell ill, making it one of the largest bioterror attacks in U.S. history. The plot was orchestrated by followers of the controversial spiritual leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, highlighting how biological agents can be used maliciously to manipulate political processes. The incident underscored the importance of biosecurity and the potential dangers posed by covert biological attacks.