Vial Containing Rare Venezuelan Virus Missing from Texas Lab

A small vial containing a rare Venezuelan virus, which can cause hemorrhagic fever, has gone missing from research facility at the University of Texas Medical Branch's (UTMB) Galveston National Laboratory.

The virus does not pose any public health risk, as it not known to be transmitted from person to person.

On March 23, the President of the University of Texas Medical Branch, Dr. David L.Callender, cautioned its stakeholders regarding the missing vial that contained the Guanarito virus.

According to a statement released from the medical branch Saturday, the missing vial contained less than a quarter teaspoon of the potentially harmful virus that was stored in a locked freezer which was designed to safely preserve biological material within a secure laboratory. The officials confirm that they do not suspect any foul play, as there was no breach in the security, reports Click2Houston.

On discovering the missing vial Wednesday, officials immediately notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC has classified it at biosafety level four, indicating the greatest risk, as it is an arenavirus.

During a routine inspection conducted Wednesday and Thrusday, the UTMB officials discovered that a vial was missing, when they found only four out of the five vials.

"This is the first time that any vial containing a select agent has been unaccounted for at UTMB. Simultaneously we have began a rigorous process to ensure the safety of its researchers, employees and the community," Callender wrote in his letter posted on UTMB's website.

The virus is native to Venezuela and is found in a limited area of the country. It is transmitted by rodents native to the area and can also survive naturally in rodents in the U.S..

The Texas laboratory is under investigation. It is believed that the vial may have accidentally been destroyed during the normal lab sterilization process, but this has not been confirmed.