An Illegal Chinese Biolab Containing Infectious Diseases Operated in California. The Feds Ignored It for Months.
Congressional probe warns of ‘profound threat’ to U.S. homeland
A shocking report from congressional investigators reveals that a biolab secretly operated by a Chinese national in California posed a significant danger to public safety. Traces of coronavirus, HIV, malaria, and other infectious diseases were found in the lab, yet federal authorities turned a blind eye to pleas from local officials to shut it down.
The discovery of this illicit lab in Reedley, California, a small rural town, occurred in December 2022. Inside the unassuming warehouse, officers stumbled upon several individuals who identified themselves as Chinese nationals. These individuals were working with thousands of vials containing dangerous biological substances. The House Select Committee on China conducted a thorough investigation, which revealed these alarming details.
The makeshift lab, run by a Chinese national named Jiabei “Jesse” Zhu, housed live mice and freezers filled with improperly stored pathogens and other unknown substances. The lab contained a terrifying mix of infectious diseases, including HIV, coronavirus, infectious parasites, and even a storage area marked “Ebola.” Despite local officials reporting their findings to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the federal government failed to provide assistance until a member of Congress intervened.
The congressional committee’s findings highlight the grave national security risk posed by the lab’s discovery and the government’s slow response. It is unknown if there are other unlicensed biolabs tied to China operating in the United States, conducting experiments under unsafe conditions with potentially deadly diseases. The leaked pathogens from the Reedley lab could have caused illness in countless Americans.
Failure of Federal Agencies
The report also exposes the negligence of the CDC in handling the lab’s activities. The agency ignored detailed reports and conducted an inadequate review of the site, preventing proper analysis of the substances found. Local officials faced months of frustration as the CDC refused to engage with them, even hanging up on them during conversations.
Furthermore, other federal agencies capable of handling biohazardous materials disregarded the city’s requests for assistance. It was only after Rep. Jim Costa applied pressure that the CDC finally arrived at the site in May.
Unreliable Pathogen Labels
Authorities discovered a multitude of lethal diseases at the lab, including HIV, tuberculosis, and the deadliest form of malaria. However, the CDC’s list of pathogens was solely based on the labels found on the samples, without conducting any testing to verify their accuracy or identify potentially more dangerous pathogens. Shockingly, vials labeled “COVID” were not even tested.
The CDC’s failure to thoroughly investigate the lab left local officials unable to assess the danger to the Reedley community or provide necessary safety measures to protect the public.
A National Security Risk
The Reedley Biolab serves as a stark reminder of the profound threat posed by unlicensed and unknown biolabs in our country. This investigation has exposed significant gaps in our nation’s defenses and regulations regarding pathogens, creating a grave national security risk that could be exploited in the future.
How does the location of the Reedley biolab in a small town exemplify the vulnerability of rural areas to potential biosecurity breaches?
Negligence in addressing it. The presence of deadly pathogens in the lab raises concerns about the potential for a biosecurity breach and the spread of infectious diseases in the United States.
The report warns that the lab’s operation poses a “profound threat” to the U.S. homeland. Its location in a small town underscores the vulnerability of even rural areas to such dangers. Had this lab gone undetected, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
The lax response from federal authorities is deeply concerning. The calls from local officials to shut down the lab went unheard for months, leaving the community and the country at risk. The delay in taking action could have allowed infectious diseases to escape the lab’s confines and spread throughout the population.
While the motive behind the lab’s operation remains unclear, the report raises suspicions of potential espionage. The presence of numerous Chinese nationals raises questions about their affiliations and whether this operation was part of a larger agenda. The need for a thorough investigation into this matter cannot be understated.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for improved biosecurity measures and greater cooperation between local, state, and federal authorities. It is crucial that all levels of government work together to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future. Strict regulations and oversight are necessary to ensure the safety and security of biological research facilities in the United States.
Additionally, this incident underscores the need for increased funding and support for the Centers for Disease Control and other agencies responsible for monitoring and responding to biosecurity threats. The discovery of such a dangerous lab should serve as a reminder of the vital role these agencies play in protecting public health and national security.
In conclusion, the congressional probe into the Reedley biolab reveals a significant threat to the U.S. homeland. The presence of deadly pathogens and the negligence of federal authorities in addressing this danger highlights the need for improved biosecurity measures and greater collaboration between government agencies. It is essential that swift action is taken to prevent future incidents and safeguard public safety.
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