from The National Pulse:
More than 300 virus samples are reported missing from a government-operated laboratory in Queensland, Australia, sparking biosecurity concerns. Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced Monday that his department is investigating the disappearance of 323 samples from the state virology laboratory. The issue was initially discovered after a freezer malfunctioned in 2021. It came to public light in August 2023, following a year’s effort to gain federal accreditation to commence the investigation.
Nicholls emphasized the importance of understanding the breach’s causes and preventing future occurrences. Most missing vials contained lyssavirus, while approximately 100 included the Hendra virus, known for its high fatality rate in seven known human cases. The virus has a 75 percent fatality rate in horses, its most common host. Two vials contained Hantavirus, another virus with significant mortality rates.
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The health minister assured there is “no evidence so far” of any public health risk due to the missing vials. The department is coordinating with federal and agricultural bodies to ensure comprehensive regulatory measures are in place.
Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard informed reporters that virus samples would rapidly lose their infectiousness without proper freezer storage. He further stated that there is no indication that the missing samples, especially the Hendra virus, have been used for biological warfare purposes.
Gerrard noted that while such research is typically conducted in secret, there is no current evidence supporting the weaponization of the Hendra virus. He highlighted that the complex process of developing viruses for such purposes is beyond the capability of non-specialists.
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