Early this week, the Queensland government announced that hundreds of samples of deadly viruses had gone missing from a laboratory in Australia, including 3 very hazardous viruses.
The Australian government has instructed the Queensland Department of Health to launch an investigation into what is being described as “a major historic breach of biosecurity protocols.”
323 vials of multiple infectious viruses – including Hendra virus, Lyssavirus and Hantavirus – reportedly disappeared from the Queensland Public Health Virology Laboratory in August 2023.
Reports indicated that Hendra virus is a zoonotic virus (transmitted from animals to humans) found onyl in Australia.
Hantavirus is a family of viruses that can cause serious illness and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and lyssavirus is a group of viruses that can cause rabies.
An Australian government statement said it is not known whether the infectious samples were stolen or destroyed, and there is “no evidence of danger to the public,” confirming it had launched an investigation into the incident.
“With such a serious breach of biosecurity protocols and infectious virus samples missing, Queensland Health needs to investigate what happened and how to prevent it from happening again,” Minister timothy Nicholls said in the statement.
Nicholls said the Queensland Department of Health had taken “proactive measures”, including retraining staff on essential regulations and conducting inspections to ensure proper storage of materials.
Sam Scarpino, director of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Life Sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, emphasized that the situation in Australia is a “serious biosecurity flaw”, noting that the pathogens that have been reported have “serious consequences be missing and may have serious consequences. threat to the public.”.
“All three pathogens can have very high mortality rates in humans, but they are not easily transmitted from person to person,” Scarpino added.
“Some hantaviruses have death rates of up to 15%, or more than 100 times more deadly than Covid-19, while others are similar to Covid-19 in severity,” he said.
He added that there is also a important risk to animals and livestock from the three pathogens, but emphasized that “given the limited ability of any of these pathogens to transmit from person to person, the risk of an epidemic is very low .”
Source: Agencies
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How do biosecurity breaches impact public health and safety in the long term?
Interview: Understanding the biosecurity Breach in Queensland – Insights from Sam Scarpino
By Time.news Editor
Time.news: Thank you for joining us today, Sam. We appreciate your expertise, especially given the recent alarming incident regarding 323 vials of dangerous viruses going missing in Queensland, Australia.Can you explain the significance of this breach?
Sam Scarpino: Thank you for having me. The disappearance of these virus samples is indeed a serious biosecurity breach.Viruses like Hendra and Hantavirus, along with Lyssavirus, pose significant health risks not only too humans but also to animals and livestock. It’s crucial to understand that while these viruses are not easily transmitted from person to person, they still carry serious consequences if they escape into the surroundings or if an outbreak occurs.
Time.news: How concerning is the potential impact of these viruses if they where to be misused or accidentally released?
Sam Scarpino: Each of these pathogens has a high mortality rate in humans.For instance, certain strains of Hantavirus can have death rates exceeding 15%, which is dramatically higher than what we experienced with Covid-19. Though, the key point here is that they are not easily transmissible among humans; thus, the risk of a widespread epidemic remains low. Nonetheless, biosecurity protocols must be taken seriously to prevent any potential mishaps.
Time.news: The Australian government is investigating the incident and has taken immediate steps, such as retraining staff. What other measures can be implemented to enhance biosecurity in laboratories handling hazardous materials?
Sam Scarpino: Strengthening biosecurity involves a multi-faceted approach.It includes ensuring rigorous training for all personnel, regular audits of inventory and storage practices, and clear protocols for reporting any discrepancies. Technology can also play a vital role in monitoring and securing samples. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for lab operators globally: we must improve our protocols and enhance inter-agency communication about biosecurity risks.
Time.news: What advice would you give to healthcare professionals and researchers who handle infectious agents?
Sam Scarpino: My primary advice would be to prioritize adherence to biosecurity protocols. Regular training sessions should be a staple,not a rarity. Additionally, foster a culture where staff feel empowered to report safety concerns without fear of repercussions. Each instance of negligence can have dire consequences. Lastly, always stay updated on the latest biosecurity practices, which can change as we learn more about these pathogens.
Time.news: Given the current situation,are there any long-term implications we should be mindful of in terms of public health?
Sam Scarpino: Absolutely. This incident highlights the need for global conversation around biosecurity not just locally in Australia but worldwide. As we continue to deal with emerging infectious diseases, we must remain vigilant. Public health systems need to ensure they’re well-prepared for any potential outbreaks and minimize the risks related to laboratory incidents. This means investing in not just monitoring and reporting systems but also in research concerning zoonotic diseases, which can emerge due to human-animal interactions.
time.news: Thank you for your insights, Sam. It’s crucial that we continue to emphasize the importance of biosecurity measures and training. Is there anything else you would like to add for our readers?
Sam Scarpino: Just a reminder that while the risk from this incident seems low at present, it underscores the importance of biosecurity in our increasingly interconnected world. A proactive approach is always better than dealing with a crisis after it arises. Stay informed and engaged in discussions about these issues; it really matters for community and global health.
Time.news: Thank you once again for sharing your expertise with us today.
Sam Scarpino: Thank you for the prospect.
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