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Rachel V Thomas

Two NIH Researchers Charged For Smuggling Deactivated Mpox Virus Into US

Two researchers working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been charged with allegedly bringing a deactivated mpox virus into the United States from the Republic of the Congo without a permit.

In a statement, the Department of Justice said Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe, from the NIH's Rocky Mountain Laboratory, were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the United States and making false statements to federal law enforcement agencies.

"These NIH experts apparently broke our laws by smuggling viral pathogens on a packed commercial airplane from an outbreak in the Republic of Congo. Let that sink in," said United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.

According to the criminal complaint, Vincent Munster, 53, a citizen of the Netherlands, is the Chief of the Virus Ecology Section in the Laboratory of Virology at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Montana.

Claude Kwe, 38, a citizen of Cameroon, is a research fellow in Munster's section.

Both researchers worked on emerging viral pathogens and how those pathogens cross the species barrier. They work at a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory, which employs the highest level of biosafety precautions for scientific research involving known and potential human pathogens.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/western-australia-records-22-mpox-infections-in-2026-seven-reported-last-week-article-154447578" data-type="tilCustomLink">Western Australia Records 22 Mpox Infections In 2026; Seven Reported Last Week</a>

<h2>What Did The Researchers Allegedly Carry?</h2>

According to the US Department of Justice, the researchers were carrying a large black plastic case containing 113 vials when they arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport from the Republic of the Congo on January 25, this year.  Congo was experiencing a monkeypox outbreak at the time.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspected and interviewed the researchers, who were carrying a large black plastic case.

"Munster and Kwe falsely told CBP officers that the black case contained diagnostics and testing equipment," the Department of Justice alleged. But when the FBI and CBP inspected the case and found 113 vials.

<ul><li>17 of the first 20 tested vials contained deactivated mpox virus</li><li>1 vial contained chickenpox virus</li><li>2 vials contained human DNA</li></ul>

"No researchers should believe their positions, credentials, or professional status place them above the law," said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.

"The allegations in this case are serious. They involve the dangerous and unlawful smuggling of deactivated Mpox virus into the United States and alleged efforts to mislead our federal agents," she added.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/bangladeshs-measles-crisis-deepens-nearly-600-children-dead-since-march-infections-set-to-surge-article-154445141" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bangladesh's Measles Crisis Deepens: Nearly 600 Children Dead Since March, Infections Set To Surge</a>

Marcus L. Sykes, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG), said that "any deliberate effort to conceal and smuggle biological materials into the United States without proper authorization was a breach of public trust and could have placed the public at risk".

As per the officials, Munster and Kwe each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted. The investigation remains ongoing.

Why Is India Suddenly Getting Sicker? #shorts #shortsfeed

Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox.

The virus spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, or infected animals.

The illness generally lasts between two and four weeks and resolves on its own. However, severe disease can occur, particularly in children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

Complications may include secondary infections, respiratory problems, and, in rare cases, death.

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Two researchers working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been charged with allegedly bringing a deactivated mpox virus into the United States from the Republic of the Congo without a permit.In a statement, the Department of Justice said Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe, from the NIH's Rocky Mountain Laboratory, were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the United States and making false statements to federal law enforcement agencies."These NIH experts apparently broke our laws by smuggling viral pathogens on a packed commercial airplane from an outbreak in the Republic of Congo. Let that sink in," said United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. Who Are The Researchers?According to the criminal complaint, Vincent Munster, 53, a citizen of the Netherlands, is the Chief of the Virus Ecology Section in the Laboratory of Virology at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Montana.Claude Kwe, 38, a citizen of Cameroon, is a research fellow in Munster's section.Both researchers worked on emerging viral pathogens and how those pathogens cross the species barrier. They work at a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory, which employs the highest level of biosafety precautions for scientific research involving known and potential human pathogens.Also read: Western Australia Records 22 Mpox Infections In 2026; Seven Reported Last WeekWhat Did The Researchers Allegedly Carry?According to the US Department of Justice, the researchers were carrying a large black plastic case containing 113 vials when they arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport from the Republic of the Congo on January 25, this year.  Congo was experiencing a monkeypox outbreak at the time.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspected and interviewed the researchers, who were carrying a large black plastic case."Munster and Kwe falsely told CBP officers that the black case contained diagnostics and testing equipment," the Department of Justice alleged. But when the FBI and CBP inspected the case and found 113 vials.As per the investigators:17 of the first 20 tested vials contained deactivated mpox virus1 vial contained chickenpox virus2 vials contained human DNAInvestigation Ongoing"No researchers should believe their positions, credentials, or professional status place them above the law," said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office."The allegations in this case are serious. They involve the dangerous and unlawful smuggling of deactivated Mpox virus into the United States and alleged efforts to mislead our federal agents," she added.Read More: Bangladesh's Measles Crisis Deepens: Nearly 600 Children Dead Since March, Infections Set To SurgeMarcus L. Sykes, Special Agent in Charge at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG), said that "any deliberate effort to conceal and smuggle biological materials into the United States without proper authorization was a breach of public trust and could have placed the public at risk".As per the officials, Munster and Kwe each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted. The investigation remains ongoing.What Is Mpox?      Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox.The virus spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, contaminated materials, or infected animals.The illness generally lasts between two and four weeks and resolves on its own. However, severe disease can occur, particularly in children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.Complications may include secondary infections, respiratory problems, and, in rare cases, death.

two nih researchers charged with allegedly smuggling deactivated mpox virus into us

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Two NIH Researchers Charged For Smuggling Deactivated Mpox Virus Into US

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