Domestic......the word that lead a lot astray.
The natural origin of this particular pathogen is Texas. It was taken from an American heifer, a Beefmaster, an American breed by an American vet and sent to College Station for diagnosis. From there it went to Iowa State, and from there to USAMRIID and on and on.
The strain did not come from any other country than ours. But as Ari Fliescher said, who sent it was another question.
It is uncertain whether it went directly from Texas or was shipped via Iowa.
William Broad obtained the mailing label and interpreted it as meaning it was shipped directly.
I eventually got a copy of the label from an ISU professor who had gotten it from Gregory Knudson, the scientist who had been at USAMRIID but then moved to the Navy side. I didn’t see a cancellation mark and view the labels as being consistent with having been added in Ames, and forwarded.
You then have reported that a Postal Inspector John said it was in Ames.
Given that I find you a reliable source, I credit that he said that.
But of course we don’t really know whether he was just saying that. (And don’t know if they just got it later given that they do vaccine research with USAMRIID).
His questions to you related to the BL-3 lab — i.e., the USDA facility.
So I agree with you that it was routed via USDA-Ames, but I hasten to add there are many who would not. Doubters could have called Postal Inspector John if they doubted.