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.