Authorities reported a "major biosecurity breach" after deadly virus samples went missing from a lab.

On Monday, the Queensland government revealed that over 300 dangerous virus specimens were absent from an Australian laboratory.

Queensland Health, Australia's public health department, has been instructed by the government to investigate a "major historical breach of biosecurity protocols," as stated in an online media release.

In August 2023, 323 vials containing multiple infectious viruses, including Hendra virus, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, disappeared from Queensland's Public Health Virology Laboratory.

Only in Australia has the zoonotic virus, Hendra, been discovered.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that Hantavirus, a family of viruses, can result in severe illness and death, while Lyssavirus, a group of viruses, can cause rabies.

The lab that lost samples offers diagnostic services, surveillance, and research on viruses and mosquito and tick-borne pathogens of medical significance, according to a statement.

No evidence of risk to the community was found, as it is unclear whether the infectious samples were stolen or destroyed, the statement said.

The government has launched a "Part 9 investigation."

Queensland Health must investigate the serious breach of biosecurity protocols and take measures to prevent infectious virus samples from going missing again, according to Minister Timothy Nicholls.

"The investigation of Part 9 will guarantee that no aspect has been missed in addressing this event and will scrutinize the current policies and procedures currently in use at the laboratory."

"This investigation will also consider regulatory compliance and staff conduct."

Nicholls stated that Queensland Health has implemented "proactive steps," such as retraining staff on necessary regulations and conducting audits to guarantee proper storage of materials.

Dr. Sam Scarpino, director of AI and life sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, stated that the current situation in Australia represents a "severe biosecurity breach."

"Given the limited ability for any of these pathogens to transmit from person to person, the risk of an epidemic is very low."

The pathogens that were reported missing are all high-consequence and could pose a threat to the public, as stated by him to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Scarpino stated that while the three pathogens have high fatality rates in humans, they are not easily transmitted from person to person.

He stated that some hantaviruses have case fatality rates of up to 15%, which is over 100 times more lethal than COVID-19, while others are similar in severity to COVID-19.

All three pathogens pose a significant threat to both animals and livestock, he stated.

The expert pointed out that the Lyssavirus family, which includes the rabies virus, is almost always fatal in humans if they don't receive prompt treatment.

Scarpino stated that the low risk of epidemic is due to the limited ability of these pathogens to transmit from person to person.

"On the other hand, the Hendra virus, as well as certain species from the Hantavirus and Lyssavirus families, can cause severe illness in both humans and animals."

Dr. John Gerrard, the Chief Health Officer, reaffirmed in a media statement that there is no proof of any public danger.

He stated that virus samples would quickly lose their infectivity if kept outside a low temperature freezer.

"It is highly unlikely that samples were disposed of in general waste, as this goes against standard laboratory procedures."

No human cases of Hendra or Lyssavirus have been reported in Queensland in the past five years, and there have been no confirmed Hantavirus infections in Australia, according to Gerrard.

Scarpino emphasized the importance of confirming that there is no longer a risk of exposure, even though the risk was low, by understanding where the samples ended up.

"Although I commend the Australian government for addressing the issue, it is unacceptable that it took over a year for the breach to be disclosed to the public."

"The pathogens reported missing are all high-consequence."

There have been similarly high-profile biosecurity lapses in the U.S., Scarpino noted.

He stated that more investment and transparency are required regarding pathogen biosecurity.

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Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the Queensland government requesting further comment.