The Queensland government announced Monday that hundreds of virus samples, including dangerous pathogens like Hendra, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, are missing from a state laboratory. The incident, described as a “major historical breach of biosecurity protocols,” has sparked a formal investigation by Queensland Health.
The breach, which reportedly occurred in August 2023, involves 323 vials of infectious viruses that disappeared from the Public Health Virology Laboratory. This facility specializes in diagnosing and researching viruses, including mosquito and tick-borne diseases.
The missing viruses pose significant risks. Hendra virus, found only in Australia, can transmit from animals to humans. Lyssavirus includes rabies, which is almost always fatal without prompt treatment. Hantavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can cause severe respiratory illness and has a high mortality rate.
Despite the severity of the pathogens involved, Queensland officials emphasized that there is no evidence of a threat to public safety. Chief Health Officer Dr. John Gerrard assured that virus samples degrade quickly outside of cold storage, making them unlikely to remain infectious. He also noted that no cases of Hendra or Lyssavirus have been recorded in Queensland in the past five years, and no confirmed Hantavirus infections have ever occurred in Australia.
Queensland Health Minister Timothy Nicholls stated that the investigation will review biosecurity protocols, staff conduct, and regulatory compliance. Proactive measures, including retraining staff and conducting audits, have already begun to prevent future breaches.
Dr. Sam Scarpino, an expert in biosecurity at Northeastern University, labeled the breach a “critical biosecurity lapse.” While the risk of a widespread epidemic is low due to limited person-to-person transmission, the pathogens are highly lethal. Scarpino noted that some Hantaviruses have fatality rates as high as 15%, making them over 100 times deadlier than COVID-19.
Scarpino also criticized the delay in public disclosure, pointing out that biosecurity lapses require immediate transparency. He called for greater investment in pathogen security and noted that similar breaches have occurred in the United States.
The investigation, referred to as a “Part 9 investigation,” aims to identify the cause of the breach and ensure stringent security measures are enforced. This incident underscores the need for vigilance in handling dangerous pathogens to protect both human and animal populations.
