A Chinese-operated biolab in California has been warned by a top House committee that it could have triggered a major disease outbreak due to its improper handling of deadly viruses. Dr Brad Wenstrup, a Republican congressman from Ohio and chairman of the committee investigating the Covid pandemic, expressed concerns that even minor mistakes such as tearing a protective glove could have resulted in a hazardous leak from the lab. The illegal lab, located in Fresno, California, was discovered in December 2022 and contained samples of Covid, HIV, herpes, malaria, and numerous genetically-altered mice that were more susceptible to viral infections.
Photos obtained from court documents revealed the lab’s shoddy conditions, with improperly stored boxes and hundreds of vials of infectious viruses and bacteria. The lab had received nearly $150,000 in funding from US taxpayers. Additionally, investigators found close to 1,000 mistreated and malnourished white lab mice, with 200 of them already dead. Dr Wenstrup, during a hearing on biolab regulations, emphasized that lab leaks can occur due to mishandled materials, escaped aerosols, flawed laboratory design, or human error such as improper use of protective equipment or glove punctures. He highlighted the potential dangers posed by the illegal lab in Fresno County.
The discovery of this illegal facility is particularly alarming in light of the speculation that the Covid-19 pandemic originated from a lab leak in China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology. Despite strict safety protocols in the US, previous lab leaks have occurred, resulting in the release of smallpox, tuberculosis, and the Zika virus. Dr Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert, emphasized the need for global regulation to ensure biosafety in labs studying infectious pathogens.
Local residents and online commenters expressed concerns and demanded accountability for the lack of knowledge and follow-up on the lab’s operations. The Select Subcommittee, which oversees the coronavirus debate, holds significant influence, as demonstrated by the CIA’s recent request for Dr Anthony Fauci’s cooperation in their investigation into Covid origins.
The Fresno County lab had come to authorities’ attention when an enforcement officer spotted a garden hose attached to the building. Upon inspection, investigators found industrial freezers filled with vials of biological material and piles of cardboard boxes. The lab was previously operated by Universal Meditech Inc, a company linked to China, which had been selling unlicensed Covid and pregnancy tests in Texas and California. After the FDA ordered a recall of their products, the company went bankrupt and the lab equipment was transferred to Prestige Biotech, their creditor, which moved everything to the nearby Reedley warehouse. The lab has since been cleared and cleaned, with all rodents euthanized.
While the lab in Fresno County has been addressed, concerns remain over the potential release of dangerous pathogens and the need for stricter regulations in laboratories worldwide studying infectious diseases. The significance of this discovery is further underscored by the ongoing investigation into the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic and previous lab leaks. The threat of lab leaks can have severe consequences, highlighting the urgent need for biosafety measures to be maintained at all times.
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