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The issue of a significant biosecurity event at Queensland's Public Health Virology Laboratory (PHVL) has resurfaced. More than 323 vials of viruses, including two whole samples of hantavirus, a disease spread by rodents that can be up to 38% lethal to humans, were stolen in 2021.

There were also almost 100 vials of the Hendra virus and 223 vials of the lyssavirus (rabies) virus that were missing. A stolen bag of freezers was not deemed to be the primary cause upon investigation but was instead thought to have been transferred by accident after equipment malfunction while the freezers were being transferred between vehicles. An investigation has taken place, and no traces of the samples were found that would present a threat to the public, meaning they were likely destroyed in waste processes.

The story comes out again in May 2026 as the result of the report of a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. The officials insist that there is nothing connected with the missing vials and the ongoing cases, but it has put new questions on lab safety for handling high-risk pathogens.