In Australia, authorities have urgently begun investigating the disappearance of three infectious virus samples from a public health laboratory.
The Queensland government’s Public Health Virology Laboratory has confirmed that three vials containing samples of Hendra virus, lyssavirus, and hantavirus have gone missing and remain unaccounted for.
The Hendra virus primarily affects horses and is rarely transmitted to humans. According to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, when humans do contract the virus, it often results in death.
“A small number of people have been infected with the virus, from infected horses. Tragically 4 of the 7 people who were infected have died. Five of these people were veterinary health professionals,” the department explains.
Lyssavirus, on the other hand, is transmitted through Australian bats and is essentially a form of rabies.
The Department of Health in Victoria, a southeastern state of Australia, notes: “Early symptoms are flu-like and can include fever, headache, fatigue and malaise. Symptoms quickly progress to muscle weakness, sensory changes, confusion, convulsion, and loss of consciousness.
“Australian bat lyssavirus infection is almost always fatal, with death usually occurring within 1 to 2 weeks of symptoms starting. All three human cases resulted in death.”
The last missing vial contains hantavirus, which has been described in recent studies as ‘very lethal’ and ‘zoonotic’, indicating it can be transmitted between animals and humans.
“In the year 2020, 833 cases of hantavirus infection had been reported, with 35% mortality rate in the US,” the report states.
Despite the missing vials, the Australian government has reassured the public that there is no immediate threat, suggesting the samples may have been ‘destroyed’ rather than disposed of improperly.
“It’s difficult to conceive of a scenario whereby the public could be at risk,” stated Dr. John Gerrard, Chief Health Officer of Queensland.
“It’s important to note that virus samples would degrade very rapidly outside a low temperature freezer and become non-infectious.”
An investigation into the disappearance, which reportedly occurred last August, has been launched. Queensland Minister for Health Tim Nicholls emphasized the need to prevent future breaches.
“With such a serious breach of biosecurity protocols and infectious virus samples potentially missing, Queensland Health must investigate what occurred and how to prevent it from happening again,” Nicholls said.
“The department has advised me it has taken all necessary steps since being made aware of the breaches, including notifying regulators. The investigation is the next step in this process.”
“The Part 9 Investigation will ensure nothing has been overlooked in responding to this incident and examine the current policies and procedures in operation today at the laboratory.”