Secret Biolab Raided In California, Various Dangerous Diseases And Biological Agents Discovered

Following the raid of a secret bio lab in Fresno County, California, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that numerous infectious viral agents like malaria and herpes, among others, were being tested in the facility. On top of that, the lab housed 900 genetically engineered mice with another 175 of their kind being found deceased. 

The Fresno County Public Health Department revealed that it has been “evaluating and assessing the activities of an unlicensed laboratory,” per ABC News. The statement comes from the health department’s assistant director, Joe Prado, who also shared that all of the agents that were found have been destroyed since July 7th.

"The evaluation required coordination and collaboration with multiple federal and state agencies to determine and classify biological and chemical contents onsite, in addition to assessing jurisdictional authority under this unique situation,” Prado said. 

The entire process of investigating and taking down the biolab has been going on since March 3rd when the building was inspected for violations. During the inspection, various chemicals were discovered which prompted another inspection, this time by health officials on March 16th, where they discovered numerous medical devices that had been developed at the facility. 

They also discovered the massive number of biologically modified mice that were reportedly being kept in inhumane conditions. The mice were then commandeered by the city in April, where of the ones that were still living, 773 were put down. 

"Certain rooms of the warehouse were found to contain several vessels of liquid and various apparatus," court documents said. "Fresno County Public Health staff also observed blood, tissue and other bodily fluid samples and serums; and thousands of vials of unlabeled fluids and suspected biological material."

The CDC also tested the varying biological agents and discovered at least 20 different infectious agents, including ones like coronavirus and STDs, per a Health and Human Service letter from June 6th. 

An investigation was launched into the company that was occupying the building. It was discovered that a company registered in Nevada named Prestige BioTech was operating in the building and was not licensed to work in the state of California. Investigators then discovered the president of the company, Xiuquin Yao, and discovered that the company had moved assets from another defunct company, Universal Meditech Inc., to the warehouse that was raided. 

No addresses in the state of California were able to be attached to the company, with all provided addresses leading to “either empty offices or addresses in China that could not be verified,” per court documents. 

The discovery by the California government is undoubtedly a worrying one. The fact that somehow a company with potential Chinese connections was able to establish a lab and do biological testing for God knows how long within the American border is extremely concerning. Who knows how many other labs like these are currently flying under the radar? If not for the building violation, none of the illegal activities occurring would have been discovered at this warehouse.