Viruses have escaped from high-containment laboratories
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 86/100
Evidence from biosafety literature and historical reviews confirms that viruses and other pathogens have occasionally escaped from laboratories via laboratory-acquired infections and containment breaches.
Evidence for · 5
Improved Biosafety and Biosecurity Measures and/or Strategies to Tackle Laboratory-Acquired Infections and Related Risks
2018 · cited by 66
Paper [0] reviews laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) involving viruses and other pathogens in containment settings.
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More for · 4
A Review of Laboratory-Acquired Infections in the Asia-Pacific: Understanding Risk and the Need for Improved Biosafety for Veterinary and Zoonotic Diseases
2018 · cited by 35
Paper [1] discusses laboratory-acquired infections and pathogen escapes in high-income and regional laboratories.
Modeling the effects of routine screening for accidental lab-acquired infections on the risk of potential pandemic pathogen escape from high-biosafety research facilities
2026 · cited by 2
Paper [2] models accidental lab-acquired infections and potential pandemic pathogen escapes from high-biosafety facilities.
Modeling the Effects of Routine Screening for Accidental Lab-Acquired Infections on the Risk of Potential Pandemic Pathogen Escape from High-Biosafety Research Facilities
2025 · cited by 0
Paper [9] analyzes risks and preventative interventions regarding the escape of potential pandemic pathogens from BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities via lab-acquired infections.
Survey of laboratory-acquired infections around the world in biosafety level 3 and 4 laboratories.
2016 · cited by 0
Paper [10] surveys laboratory-acquired infections in biosafety level 3 and 4 laboratories worldwide.