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Scientists are raising the alarm after hundreds of vials of deadly virus samples have reportedly gone “missing” from a virology laboratory.
Experts are warning that the missing viruses are a “major breach” of biosecurity.
The vials reportedly “vanished” from one of Australia’s leading biolabs.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced that 323 vials of live viruses are now unaccounted for.
These include nearly 100 vials of Hendra virus, two vials of hantavirus, and 223 vials of lyssavirus.
All three viruses are extremely deadly for humans.
Queensland authorities insist that while the samples could be weaponized, this is “not something an amateur does.”
The samples went missing in 2021, according to officials,
However, investigators only confirmed the breach in August 2023.
It is believed that the vials of deadly viruses were lost by Queensland’s Public Health Virology Laboratory.
Officials suspect the vials went missing when the freezer they were being stored in suddenly broke down.
Speaking at a press conference, Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said:
“It’s this part of the transfer of those materials that is causing concern.