The Government's independent watchdog on radiation, based near Didcot, is to become part of a new agency to fight bio-terrorism and diseases.
Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the new National Infection Control and Health Protection Agency would be set up to counter the threat of chemical and biological weapons, radiation and the alarming spread of infectious diseases.
The agency will draw together expertise from a number of bodies currently providing health protection services, including the National Radiological Protection Board at Chilton.
The NRPB gives advice to the Government on standards for radiation protection.
The board is always in a state of readiness for nuclear emergencies caused by accidents in the UK and elsewhere.
It was the national centre for advice and monitoring in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster.
The threat of biological and chemical attack was not the only reason for forming the new agency, said Sir Liam.
With increased travel and climate changes, there was growing concern about the worldwide spread of infectious diseases.
About 30 new diseases including HIV/Aids have been identified since the 1970s.
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