Hundreds of deadly virus samples have gone missing in Australia.

A concerning development has occurred in Queensland, Australia. It has been revealed that hundreds of deadly virus samples have gone missing from a local laboratory. According to Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls, a total of 323 live virus samples were deleted from laboratory records in an incident that took place in 2021.

Among the lost samples, the most notable is the Hendra virus, which has a 57% mortality rate. This virus, found in approximately 100 vials, emerged in Australia in the 1990s and has caused fatal cases first in horses and then in humans. Additionally, 223 vials of Lyssavirus and 2 vials of Hantavirus samples are also among the losses.

Prof. Dr. Raina Plowright from Cornell University highlighted the dangers of the Hendra virus in particular. Plowright stated, "This virus has profoundly affected not only the infected individuals but also their families and even the veterinary and horse breeding sectors in the region."

Although the incident was noticed in August 2023, it was determined that the samples were lost in 2021 due to a "serious violation of biosecurity protocols." While the authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter, measures are being taken against potential public health risks.

Experts emphasize that the loss of such dangerous virus samples could pose serious security risks and that laboratory safety protocols need to be reviewed.