News
9 December, 2024
Inquiry into bisecurity breach
The Crisafulli Government has initiated a Part 9 Investigation into a major breach of biosecurity protocols at Queensland’s Public Health Virology Laboratory, after it was revealed that vials of infectious viruses are unaccounted for.
The Crisafulli Government has initiated a Part 9 Investigation into a major breach of biosecurity protocols at Queensland’s Public Health Virology Laboratory, after it was revealed that vials of infectious viruses are unaccounted for.
The missing samples include Hendra virus, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, which were discovered missing in August 2023. The laboratory, which provides state-wide specialist diagnostic services, surveillance, and research for viruses and mosquito- and tick-borne pathogens, has not yet determined whether the materials were removed from secure storage or destroyed. However, no evidence has been found to suggest there is any immediate risk to the public.
The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC, a retired Supreme Court Justice, has been appointed to lead the investigation, with Mr Julian Druce, the former head of the Virus Identification Lab at the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, serving as co-investigator.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in this matter. He stated that the breach is a serious issue that requires a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“With such a serious breach of biosecurity protocols, Queensland Health must investigate what occurred and how to ensure it doesn’t happen again,” Minister Nicholls said. “This investigation will ensure nothing has been overlooked in addressing the incident and will examine current policies and procedures at the laboratory.”
Minister Nicholls further noted that since the breach was discovered, Queensland Health has taken necessary steps, including notifying regulators, retraining staff to comply with regulations, and conducting an audit of all relevant permits to ensure proper storage and accountability.
Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard assured the public that there was no evidence of risk to the community from this historical breach. He explained that virus samples would rapidly degrade outside of a low-temperature freezer, rendering them non-infectious. Dr Gerrard also stated that it is unlikely the samples were discarded in general waste, as this would be outside routine laboratory practice.
“Importantly, no Hendra or Lyssavirus cases have been detected among humans in Queensland over the past five years, and there have been no reports of Hantavirus infections in humans ever in Australia,” Dr Gerrard added.
