Virus samples go missing from Qld lab in ‘major’ biosecurity breach

A “major breach of biosecurity controls” has occurred at a Queensland laboratory after three samples of virus disappeared.

Three virus samples have gone missing.

Three samples of virus have gone missing from a Queensland laboratory in what the government has labelled a “major breach of biosecurity controls”.

However, as the government launched a Part 9 investigation into the source of the breach, Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said there was little risk to Queenslanders.

Samples of Hendra virus, Lyssavirus and Hantavirus – 323 in total – are unaccounted for and were discovered missing from Queensland’s Public Health Virology Laboratory in August 2023.

The laboratory has not been able to determine if the materials were removed from secure storage or destroyed.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Martin Daubney has been appointed to lead the investigation.

“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,” Health Minister Tim Nicholls said.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls. Picture, John Gass

Early investigations indicate the samples were removed from a freezer after it broke down in 2021, however no “appropriate paperwork” was completed.

Mr Nicholls said the samples were removed from secure storage and remain unaccounted for, but he noted they could have been destroyed per normal process.

“These are very, very sensitive materials, these are potentially very, very, very, harmful materials,” he said.

Dr Gerrard said there was no risk to Queenslanders.

“While this record keeping breach was serious I do not believe there is evidence of risk to the community,” he said.

The outgoing chief health officer said the incident seemed like an “administrative error rather than a deliberate attempt to steal a material”.

Dr John Gerrard said there was no risk to Queenslanders. Picture: Supplied

“I’m not aware this has been weaponised in any way and the process of weaponising the virus is a very sophisticated event, it’s not something that an amateur does,” he said.

Since the incident management at the virology lab has been replaced and there are new staff, Mr Nicholls said.

The Part 9 investigation will not call public witnesses but instead focus on regulatory compliance and staff conduct.

Mr Daubney remained tight lipped about how he would conduct the investigation.

“I won’t comment on operational matters, I will let the report speak for itself in due course,” he said.