According to the reports on Wednesday (11 December), in Australia, the Queensland government has launched a serious investigation after 323 vials of deadly viruses, including Hendra, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, went missing from the Queensland Public Health Virology Laboratory in August 2023. This breach is being described as a significant violation of biosecurity protocols, and the government has initiated a “Part 9 investigation” to determine how the incident occurred and how to prevent similar breaches in the future.
The missing viruses are of high concern due to their potential danger to both humans and animals. While the risk of human transmission is low, the pathogens involved can be fatal, especially in cases like the Hendra virus, which affects animals and can be transmitted to humans. Hantavirus can cause severe illness with a high fatality rate, while Lyssavirus is part of the rabies family, which is almost universally fatal if not treated in time.
Despite these concerns, health officials have reassured the public that there is no evidence of immediate risk. The virus samples are likely to degrade quickly outside of controlled freezer conditions, reducing their infectious potential. There have been no confirmed cases of the viruses in Queensland in recent years, and no human cases of Hantavirus in Australia.
Experts have criticized the lack of timely transparency regarding the breach, noting the need for better pathogen security and public health measures. While the risk of an epidemic is considered low, authorities are under pressure to fully investigate the whereabouts of the missing samples to ensure there is no remaining risk of exposure.
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