Investigation Launched After Hundreds of Virus Samples Go Missing from Australian Lab

Queensland health officials report a major biosecurity breach involving unaccounted vials of deadly viruses, though public risk is deemed minimal.

A total of 323 virus samples, including Hendra virus, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, were reported missing from Queensland's Public Health Virology Laboratory after a freezer malfunction in 2021.
The breach was discovered in August 2023, with no clear records of whether the samples were destroyed or improperly removed from secure storage.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has initiated a formal investigation led by retired Justice Martin Daubney to review lab protocols and prevent future incidents.
Experts and officials emphasize that the public is at very low risk, as the viruses degrade rapidly outside controlled conditions and no related human cases have been reported in years.
The investigation, expected to conclude by June 2025, will assess the lab's storage practices and record-keeping, which have faced scrutiny following other recent systemic failings in Queensland's forensic science facilities.