Hundreds of deadly viruses missing from a laboratory ⚠️

In Australia, a disturbing event is making headlines. Hundreds of samples of highly dangerous viruses have vanished from a Queensland laboratory, raising major questions about biological safety and the management of infectious pathogens.


In August 2023, Queensland Health discovered that 323 vials containing viruses such as Hendra, Orthohantavirus, and Lyssavirus had been missing since 2021. Minister Timothy Nicholls denounced this as a "serious breach of biosafety protocols." An investigation has been launched to trace their disappearance and understand why this anomaly went undetected for two years.

The vials reportedly came from a freezer that had malfunctioned. During their transfer to a new device, documentation errors left gaps in the inventory. Although theft has been ruled out, authorities remain unsure whether the samples were destroyed or simply misplaced.

Among the viruses involved, Hendra, which can spread from horses to humans, has a mortality rate of 57%. Orthohantavirus, transmitted by rodents, causes a deadly pulmonary syndrome in 38% of symptomatic cases. As for Lyssavirus, closely related to the rabies virus, it is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear.

Fortunately, scientists believe the samples pose no immediate risk to the population. Stored at -80°C (-112°F), these pathogens rapidly become inactive at higher temperatures. However, uncertainty about their whereabouts continues to cause concern.

Such incidents are not uncommon. In 2014, the Pasteur Institute misplaced over 2,000 samples related to SARS. These events highlight the limitations of safety systems, even in highly specialized laboratories. Human error, technical failures, or insufficient procedures—there are multiple causes.

To prevent future incidents, Queensland Health has enhanced employee training and initiated rigorous audits. However, will these measures be enough? Experts are calling for increased vigilance and stricter oversight of biosafety practices.

As the missing viruses remain unaccounted for, this case serves as a reminder that laboratories handling pathogens must combine absolute precision with transparency. In Australia, as elsewhere, ensuring optimal safety is a crucial imperative to prevent potential catastrophes.