Hundreds of deadly virus samples missing in Australia
In a Queensland laboratory, 323 vials containing viruses, including the deadly Hendra, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, have gone missing. The government has launched an investigation.
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Australia has been embroiled in a scandal following a statement from Queensland's government about the disappearance of hundreds of deadly virus samples, as reported by Fox News.
According to authorities, 323 vials went missing from the public health virology laboratory in August 2023, including samples of Hendra, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus.
Hendra is a zoonotic virus transmissible from animals to humans, previously found only in Australia. Lyssavirus includes viruses capable of causing rabies, while some strains of Hantavirus can have a mortality rate of up to 15%.
Health Minister Timothy Nicholls called the incident a "serious biosecurity breach." Authorities have initiated an investigation under Article 9 to determine how the incident occurred and to prevent future occurrences.
Despite the potential danger posed by the viruses, scientists assure that the risk of an outbreak is minimal, as these pathogens are not transmitted from person to person. Experts also note that viruses lose their infectivity quickly outside low-temperature storage conditions.
The government has taken action, including retraining laboratory staff and auditing storage procedures. Nevertheless, scientists are calling for greater transparency and increased investments in biosecurity systems.
Previously, it was reported that the U.S. Congress committee concluded its investigation into the origins of COVID-19, stating that the virus likely originated from a laboratory leak in Wuhan, sparking heated debates and discussions.
It was also reported that in Germany, a new, more contagious variant of monkeypox (mpox), previously found only outside Africa, was detected for the first time, indicating its continued spread.