A Chinese-run biolab in California that contained hundreds of vials of deadly viruses could have caused a serious disease outbreak, a House committee has warned.
Dr. Brad Wenstrup, a Republican congressman from Ohio and chairman of the committee investigating the Covid pandemic, said in his remarks on Wednesday that even a seemingly minor misstep, such as accidentally tearing a protective glove, can lead to ‘ could lead to a catastrophic leak from the laboratory.
The illegal facility in Fresno, California, was discovered by researchers in December 2022 and contained, among other things, biological samples of Covid, HIV, herpes and malaria, as well as hundreds of genetically modified mice that were more susceptible to viruses. Infections.
Photos obtained by DailyMail.com through court documents at the time showed boxes stacked on top of each other in the lab. Later investigations revealed that the facility received nearly $150,000 in funding from US taxpayers.
Dr. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, chairman of today’s hearing before the Special Committee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, said even a seemingly minor misstep, such as accidentally tearing a protective glove, could have led to a lab leak.
Nearly 1,000 abused and malnourished white lab mice were discovered living in poor conditions at the facility. About 200 of them were already dead. The rest were killed humanely by a veterinarian.
Among hundreds of vials containing infectious viruses and bacteria, many improperly stored in poor freezers, were malaria samples, seen here next to Chinese characters. Other infectious agents include strains of the herpes virus, the bacteria that cause meningitis, chlamydia, Covid-19 and HIV.
At a hearing today on the tightening of biolab regulations at the national and international level, Dr. Wenstrup, head of the special subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic: “Laboratory leaks can occur for several reasons.
“This can arise from improper use of biological materials, aerosol leaks, errors in laboratory design, or human error, which can be as simple as wearing protective equipment incorrectly or accidentally puncturing a glove.”
“An accident like this could easily have happened in Fresno County, California.
First photos of a Chinese-run lab in California experimenting with dangerous viruses
These are the shocking photos investigators took during the raid on an illegal biolab in a sleepy Californian town.
‘[This was] where… a Chinese company operated an illegal laboratory where it conducted dangerous experiments with Covid-19 and other viruses.
“In this lab, authorities found hundreds of mice genetically modified to capture and transport them.” [the] Covid-19 virus.
“This is worrying because we already know that if left unchecked, these laboratory-related incidents can have predictable but catastrophic consequences.”
When the illegal lab was discovered, experts warned that it increased the risk of viruses leaking out and causing widespread infections in the community.
They also warned that the unsafe conditions could allow pathogens to settle on Covid-19 and pregnancy test packaging stored in the warehouse, putting customers at risk of becoming infected.
The discovery of the plant is also made possible by evidence that Covid-19 escaped from a laboratory in China.
Many experts believe that the Covid pandemic was caused by a laboratory leak at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China, which was known to experiment with coronaviruses.
The United States has also experienced several laboratory leaks in the past despite strict safety protocols, including smallpox, tuberculosis and the Zika virus – the most recent of which occurred in 2016.
Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert and director of the Center for AIDS Research at the University of California, San Francisco, previously said: “It was very disturbing news.”
“Given the possibility that such laboratories could inadvertently release substances that could endanger the public, we need regulations to ensure that biosafety is maintained at all times in laboratories around the world that study infectious pathogens.”
Many of the 25,000 residents were also concerned, with one saying online: “Why didn’t they know?” So every company comes in and pays, and that’s it, basically no follow up? Someone has to answer that.’
Another added: “There’s more to it… We only know what they want us to know… I don’t feel like they protected me!”
The Select Subcommittee has a strong influence on the coronavirus debate. Its chairman claims that Dr. Anthony Fauci was secretly escorted to CIA headquarters last month to be asked to participate in the agency’s investigation into the origins of Covid.
The mice were confined in a poorly ventilated room barely bigger than a closet and under constant bright light, as shown in the photo above. Court documents also show that they did not have enough food and water
Several of the 32 freezers found to contain biological material and dangerous pathogens were not functioning properly because the building’s power was off
Blood and plasma from unknown sources were also found in some of the multiple freezers on the property
The illegal lab in Fresno County was only discovered late last year after a law enforcement officer spotted a garden hose from the back of the building.
Inside, investigators found industrial freezers filled with hundreds of vials of biological material and stacks of cardboard boxes.
There were also thousands of dead or dying laboratory mice that had been genetically modified to be more susceptible to human infections.
The lab was operated by Universal Meditech Inc., a company with strong ties to China that produced unlicensed Covid and pregnancy tests sold in Texas and California.
But after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a recall of its products due to lack of approval, the company went bankrupt.
It was subsequently acquired by one of its creditors, Prestige Biotech, who ordered the laboratory equipment to be moved from the main laboratory in Fresno to the warehouse in nearby Reedley, California.
Now researchers have evacuated the lab and thoroughly cleaned it to remove any dangerous pathogens lurking there. All the rodents were also destroyed.
Investigators also searched offices in China related to Prestige Biotech, but the buildings were empty and no company employees were present.
Meditech recently tried to sue the province for $50 million over the lab’s destruction, saying the danger was exaggerated, but the province responded that the lawsuit was “meritless.”
Among the viruses and bacteria flagged at the California facility, inspectors found hepatitis B and C, dengue fever, HIV, two strains of the herpes virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), tuberculosis, meningitis, rubella, coronavirus and malaria.
A large number of vials at the facility were also found to contain biomaterials, including blood and tissue from unknown sources, as well as many other unlabeled chemicals.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
