Two Chinese nationals have been charged with smuggling a harmful fungus into the US, which officials call a “dangerous biological pathogen.”
Prosecutors say Zunyong Liu, 34, tried to bring the fungus through the Detroit Metro Airport to study it at a University of Michigan lab where his girlfriend, Yunqing Jian, 33, worked. The pair face charges including conspiracy, smuggling, and visa fraud.
The fungus, Fusarium graminearum, can destroy crops like wheat and rice and cause serious illness if consumed.
Biosecurity incidents like this have shaped the course of public health, research protocols, and global safety standards throughout history. From accidental releases of deadly pathogens to missing virus samples, these events highlight the critical importance of stringent laboratory practices and oversight. By examining these biosecurity incidents, we can better understand the challenges of safeguarding against biological threats in an increasingly interconnected world.
Click on to discover big incidents that breached biosecurity.