House committee examines NIH after scientists charged with mpox smuggling
8 reported3 unconfirmed
The US House committee on energy and commerce is reviewing the National Institutes of Health after two NIH scientists were charged with allegedly smuggling mpox into the United States and misleading investigators. Federal law enforcement alleges that Dr Vincent Munster, a Dutch national and chief of the virus ecology section at the NIH’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, and Claude Kwe, a research fellow from Cameroon, transported vials containing monkeypox into the country without declaring them to customs. The scientists arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on January 25 after a research trip to the Republic of Congo, where they had been studying the mpox strain linked to the country’s current outbreak. Customs officials questioned them about a large black plastic case, which the researchers allegedly said contained diagnostic equipment, but an inspection uncovered 113 sealed laboratory vials. Laboratory analysis of 20 vials found 17 contained inactivated monkeypox virus, one contained chickenpox virus, and two contained human DNA. Both men pleaded not guilty on June 3 and were released on bail. The House committee has requested details from the NIH about the scientists’ work, the origin and transport of the samples, and the agency’s response.
What’s reported
Two NIH scientists, Dr Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe, were charged on June 2 with conspiracy to smuggle mpox into the US and giving false statements to federal law enforcement.
They arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on January 25 after a nine-day research trip to the Republic of Congo.
Customs officials found 113 sealed laboratory vials in a black plastic case; the scientists allegedly said it contained diagnostic equipment.
Laboratory analysis of 20 vials found 17 contained inactivated monkeypox virus, one contained chickenpox virus, and two contained human DNA.
Both men pleaded not guilty on June 3 and were released on bail after surrendering their passports.
The House committee on energy and commerce sent a letter to the NIH director on June 16 requesting details about the case.
Senator Tim Sheehy called for an independent investigation into Rocky Mountain Laboratories’ biosecurity and personnel practices.
An NIH spokesperson said the agency was notified in January and implemented protocols to secure facilities and materials.
Open questions
The contents of the remaining 93 vials that have not been publicly identified.
Whether the NIH authorized or was aware of the scientists’ trip to the Republic of Congo.
Whether the scientists made false statements to the NIH or other federal agencies.
Key figures
Dr Vincent Munster, 53, Dutch national, chief of the virus ecology section at NIH’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories
Claude Kwe, 38, research fellow from Cameroon
Jerome Gorgon Jr, US attorney
Marcus Sykes, special agent, HHS office of inspector general
Dr Jay Bhattacharya, NIH director
Tim Sheehy, Republican senator
Benton Martin, Kwe’s lawyer
Sources: The Guardian
