Urgent investigation underway after infectious virus samples go missing from Queensland laboratory
An urgent investigation is under way after infectious virus samples went missing from a Queensland laboratory in a "major biosecurity breach".
Three vials of Hendra virus, Lyssavirus and Hantavirus stored at Queensland's Public Health Virology Laboratory remain unaccounted for, the state government confirmed.
The breaches were discovered in August 2023 and the vials are still missing.
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The vials have been unaccounted for since August 203. (File image) Getty
Premier David Crisafulli's government has now directed Queensland Health to conduct a Part 9 Investigation into the breach.
The laboratory has been unable to determine if the missing vials were removed from secure storage and destroyed.
There is no evidence of risk to the community.
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"It's difficult to conceive of a scenario whereby the public could be at risk," Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said.
"It's important to note that virus samples would degrade very rapidly outside a low temperature freezer and become non-infectious."
Gerrard said it's most likely the samples were "destroyed" and were not discarded in general waste.
There has been no Hendra or coronavirus cases detected among Queenslanders in the past five years, Gerrard said.
No human has ever reported being infected with Hantavirus in Australia.
Queensland Health has launched an investigation into the security breach. 9News
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Queensland Minister for Health Tim Nicholls said the investigation would ensure a breach like this did not happen again.
"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," Nicholls said.
"The department has advised me it has taken all necessary steps since being made aware of the breaches, including notifying regulators. The investigation is the next step in this process."
"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."
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