Brazilian Researcher Arrested for Allegedly Removing Virus Samples from Biosafety Lab

Brazil's federal police arrested Soledad Palameta Miller, a virologist at the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), late last month for allegedly taking samples of viruses from a biosafety-level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory at the university. Police recovered the missing samples, which included viruses such as chikungunya, dengue, and Epstein-Barr, from other locations on Unicamp's campus, according to reports from the Brazilian news program Fantástico.

Recovery and Safety Assessment Brazil's

National Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) stated earlier this month that it evaluated the recovered samples and determined they did not pose a risk to public health.

The incident occurred at Unicamp's Laboratory of Virology and Applied Biotechnology, a BSL-3 facility equipped with air filters and containment systems for studying potentially lethal pathogens. Access to such facilities is tightly controlled, and samples cannot be removed without authorization, according to Paulo Sanches, a virologist at São Paulo State University in Araraquara.

Investigation Details

The samples were noticed missing in February, prompting concerns from lab researchers who notified university officials and federal police.

Security-camera footage showed Michael Edward Miller, a PhD student in the lab and husband of Soledad Palameta Miller, leaving the facility at unusual times while carrying items, as reported by Fantástico.

Michael Edward Miller has not been arrested or charged. André Ribeiro, head of the federal police in Campinas, stated that responsibility rests with Soledad Palameta Miller as the materials were stored in her workspace, and the investigation will determine if others assisted.

Community Response and Context

The Brazilian virology community expressed perplexity over the lapse at a BSL-3 lab.

The Brazilian Society for Virology stated it is monitoring the situation and noted that biosafety systems proved effective, with samples quickly recovered and contained. Unicamp stated it is cooperating fully with police and conducting an internal investigation. The incident comes as Brazil builds support for its first biosafety-level-4 (BSL-4) lab near Unicamp.

Clarice Weis Arns, head of the affected lab, declined to comment, citing university advice. S. program since 2015.

“No sample can be removed from a lab with this biosafety level without authorization.”