Just reported: Hundreds of vials of deadly viruses missing after 2021 lab breach

323 vials containing deadly live viruses have gone missing from a bio-lab in Australia, leading to an investigation. Health Minister Tim Nicholls revealed that 323 samples, including Hendra virus, were unaccounted for since 2021. The breach was found in August 2023, with nearly 100 vials holding the deadly Hendra virus.

The lab has not been able to determine if the viruses were destroyed or removed from storage, but they do not appear to have been stolen. "There is nothing to suggest that these have been taken from the laboratory. Secondly... we don't have any evidence that Hendra virus has been weaponized in any way in any research laboratory," Nicholls said at a presser.

Nicholls assured that there is "no evidence of risk to the community from the breach," as the viruses would degrade quickly outside of cold storage. An investigation aims to understand how the samples went missing and improve lab protocols. Proactive measures include retraining staff to ensure compliance.