A Plan to Sway an Election
Between August and October 1984, over 750 people in The Dalles, Oregon, suffered from food poisoning after eating at salad bars across ten restaurants. The cause was Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, deliberately spread by members of the Rajneeshee commune. Their goal was to incapacitate voters, ensuring their candidates would win seats in the Wasco County elections.
A Coordinated Attack
The Rajneeshees, led by Ma Anand Sheela, had already gained control of Antelope, Oregon, and sought to expand their political influence. They secretly cultured Salmonella in their medical laboratory and introduced it into local food establishments. The outbreak resulted in 751 infections and 45 hospitalizations, though no deaths were recorded.
Unraveling the Crime
In September 1985, Rajneesh himself accused his followers of orchestrating the attack. An FBI-led investigation uncovered matching bacterial samples in the commune’s lab. Two key members, Sheela and Diane Onang (Ma Anand Puja), were arrested and sentenced to 29 months in prison.
A Chilling Precedent
This event remains the largest bioterror attack in U.S. history. The Rajneeshee commune dissolved shortly after, and the attack reshaped public health and security responses to biological threats.
In 1984, over 750 people in The Dalles, Oregon, fell ill after eating at salad bars. The outbreak wasn’t accidental. A secretive commune launched the largest bioterror attack in U.S. history, contaminating food with Salmonella in a bold attempt to influence an election. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/vwFu5TujUg
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