Over 300 live virus samples, including Hendra, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, vanished from an Australian lab in a serious biosecurity breach.

While the exact fate of the misplaced samples is still unknown, they likely pose no danger to the public, government officials have said.

More than 300 live virus samples went missing from an Australian state-run laboratory in the province of Queensland in what public health officials have deemed a “major breach” of biosecurity. Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced Monday that his department is launching an investigation into the 323 virus samples that went missing from the state

A significant biosecurity breach in Australia sees over 300 deadly virus samples missing due to a freezer malfunction, prompting investigations.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

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

Hundreds of samples of dangerous viruses have gone missing from a laboratory in Australia, Azernews reports. "323 vials containing dangerous viruses, including the Hendra virus and hantavirus, have been reported missing. It is unclear whether the infectious samples were stolen or destroyed," journalists reported.