The Queensland gove ment has launched an investigation after hundreds of vials containing deadly virus samples were reported missing from the Public Health Virology Laboratory.

According to a statement released on Monday (Dec 9), 323 vials of infectious viruses, including Hendra virus, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, went missing in August 2023, marking what officials called a 'major historical breach of biosecurity protocols.'

Despite the breach, authorities assured the public there is 'no evidence of risk to the community.' Chief Health Officer Dr. John Gerrard stated that the samples would degrade quickly outside low-temperature storage, making it highly unlikely for them to remain infectious if improperly discarded.

The gove ment has initiated a 'Part 9 investigation' to determine the circumstances of the incident and ensure regulatory compliance. The probe will also review staff conduct, current procedures, and measures to prevent such occurrences.

Queensland Health Minister Timothy Nicholls emphasized the seriousness of the breach, stating that proactive measures, such as audits and staff retraining, are underway to improve biosecurity practices.

Biosecurity expert Dr. Sam Scarpino highlighted the high-risk nature of the missing pathogens, noting their potential to cause severe illness in humans and animals. However, he reassured that the risk of an epidemic remains very low due to limited human-to-human transmission capabilities of these viruses.