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Could they be referring to a chemical gas they used on dogs in Afghanistan? Here's an excerpt from article:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/08/18/terror.tape.main/

Among the most frightening scenes in the collection of tapes are those of testing of a poison gas on three dogs. The disturbing images show the dying moments of the defenseless, enclosed animals.

A senior Bush administration official who is intimately involved in weapons issues said he was "very troubled" by the issues the video raises, particularly about chemical weapons.

The official said the video of the chemical tests on the dogs suggest a very strong desire to acquire the capability to use such weapons against humans. Until now, he said, he had seen nothing that indicated bin Laden or al Qaeda had the capability.

"This tape is unquestionable documentation that he has some capability," he said. The tape, he said, shows "some level of sophistication, and indicates they were trying to get results."

In one scene, a group of unidentified men wearing Afghan-style sandals rush out of an enclosure where one of the dogs is penned. A white liquid that gives off a gas is then seen seeping in from the left. Soon, the dog begins showing physical reactions.

Avian flu strain discovered at four live chicken markets in N.J.

The Associated Press
2/12/2004, 7:15 a.m. ET

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A strain of avian influenza has been found at four live chicken markets in northern New Jersey, just days after similar outbreaks at farms in Delaware led to the destruction of 80,000 birds.

New Jersey health officials stressed that the findings are not unusual for the state's live poultry markets and said the strain found is not known to be harmful to humans. They also disputed claims that the finding could indicate that the virus festers in New Jersey's poultry markets.

Nancy Halpern, the state veterinarian, said the markets likely got the virus from one of the many farms and distributors who supply them. New Jersey has about 35 live chicken markets across the state.

"We believe the virus is coming to (the markets)," Halpern told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "They can be doing everything right and still have a market that tests positive."

Halpern said the state tested the markets in late January, as it typically does every winter, and results have been received for about half the sites. She would not identify the markets where the strain was found,

Clifton Lacy, commissioner of the state Department of Health and Senior Services. said there was only a small chance that the weak strain of avian flu — the same one found in Delaware — could mutate into a stronger form that could harm humans.

"The key (to preventing problems) is stringent sanitary measures on farms and culling the flocks," he said.