Hundreds of deadly virus samples are missing from a laboratory in Australia, the Queensland government announced on Monday.

The government has instructed Queensland Health — Australia’s public health department — to launch an investigation into what’s being described as a "major historical breach of biosecurity protocols," according to the online media statement.

It was reported that 323 vials of multiple infectious viruses — including Hendra virus, Lyssavirus and Hantavirus — went missing from Queensland’s Public Health Virology Laboratory in August 2023.


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Hendra is a zoonotic (animal-to-human) virus that has only been found in Australia.

Hantavirus is a family of viruses that can lead to serious illness and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while Lyssavirus is a group of viruses that can cause rabies.

The lab where the samples went missing provides "diagnostic services, surveillance and research for viruses and mosquito and tick-borne pathogens of medical importance," the release stated. 

It is not known whether the infectious samples were stolen or destroyed, the statement said, and there is "no evidence of risk to the community."

The government has launched a "Part 9 investigation."

"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," Minister Timothy Nicholls said in the release.

"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."

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

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