Hundreds of vials containing deadly viruses have gone missing from a laboratory in Australia, as reported by Daily Mail.
The missing vials include nearly 100 containing the Hendra virus, two with the Hantavirus, and 223 with the Lassa fever virus—each of which is extremely lethal to humans.
The samples disappeared in 2021 from the Queensland Health Virology Laboratory after a freezer, where they were being stored, malfunctioned. Investigators only confirmed the breach in August 2023. Yesterday, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nichols publicly disclosed the disappearance of the vials containing live viruses. Authorities are deeply concerned that these samples may be used as biological weapons.
The disappearance of such dangerous materials has raised alarms among public health officials, who are now working with law enforcement to determine how the samples went missing and whether they may pose a threat. The incident highlights the risks associated with storing highly infectious and lethal viruses, particularly when adequate safety measures fail.
The viruses involved have the potential to cause severe outbreaks if mishandled or deliberately released. The Hendra virus is transmitted from animals to humans, while the Hantavirus can be spread through contact with rodent excrement, and Lassa fever is spread via infected bodily fluids. These viruses have previously caused significant health crises in various parts of the world.
