Failures by CDC at Reedley Biolab: House Select Committee Report Reveals Lack of Response to Infectious Threats. CDC Only Spent Three Days Investigating Illegal Lab with Deadly Diseases and Unlabeled Vials. Concerns Raised about Lab Mice and Presence of Ebola. Committee Members Call for Legislative Reforms and More Oversight. Investigation Shows CEO Jia Bei Zhu Received $2 Million from China and Allegedly Committed Intellectual Property Theft. Zhu Faces Charges of Manufacturing and Distributing Medical Devices and Making False Statements.

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : New Report Highlights CDC Failures at Illegal Reedley Biolab

A comprehensive report released by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has shed light on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) inadequate response to infectious threats at an illegal biolab in Reedley.

The Select Committee has been conducting an ongoing investigation into the Reedley lab, and as part of their findings, they called on Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and Jim Costa (D-Fresno) to provide answers. Reedley City Manager Nicole Zieba and Reedley code enforcement officer Jesalyn Harper also remotely reported to the committee.

The report has raised serious concerns about the CDC’s handling of the situation, with Congressman Neal Dunn (R-Florida), a member of the Select Committee, describing the lack of response as “nothing short of malfeasance.”

It was only after Reedley city officials reached out to Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) that federal agents, including the CDC and FBI, were dispatched to investigate Universal Meditech Inc. and Prestige Biotech. These facilities were found to be storing numerous deadly diseases and thousands of gallons of dangerous biological material.

Shockingly, the CDC’s investigation lasted a mere three days, during which they instructed Reedley and Fresno County officials to simply destroy everything at the lab. This hasty decision has raised concerns, as the number of unlabeled vials stored at the facility remains unknown.

Reedley City Manager Nicole Zieba expressed her alarm at the CDC’s response, stating that bioterrorists could easily avoid detection by removing labels from vials. She called this possibility “terrifying.”

Even the presence of a paper with the word “Ebola” written on a freezer did not prompt further investigation from the CDC, according to Reedley code enforcement officer Jesalyn Harper. However, experts have highlighted that the existence of Ebola on this continent outside of specialized labs is highly unlikely. This oversight by the CDC raises questions about their ability to effectively respond to dangerous situations.

The Select Committee’s report has also highlighted payments made by the People’s Republic of China to UMI CEO Jia Bei Zhu. While there was no evidence to suggest that the lab was being used as a bioweapons facility, the committee’s expert expressed concerns about the capabilities of the lab, particularly its use of mice.

Col. Robert Kadlec, a biosecurity expert called upon by the House Select Committee, noted that the presence of “humanized” mice at the Reedley lab was inconsistent with its stated business model. These mice are specifically designed to mimic human biological traits. However, the cost of producing such mice is exorbitant, leading to questions about the lab’s actual operations.

Kadlec went on to emphasize the potential dangers associated with the misuse of blood plasma and organs, stating that they could cause significant harm and concern.

The minimal involvement of the CDC in the investigation, as well as their failure to address the potential presence of Ebola, has raised concerns among committee members. They are calling for legislative reforms to strengthen oversight and response capabilities in similar situations.

The committee’s chair, Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin), highlighted the need for a specialized agency to unite various federal entities and ensure a coordinated response to biolab incidents. He emphasized that while the CDC may not have the same powers as the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security, they should be expected to respond promptly when called upon for assistance.

The report also uncovered crucial information about UMI CEO Jia Bei Zhu. It revealed that Zhu had received a total of $2 million from transfers made by the People’s Republic of China. Furthermore, he was implicated in intellectual property theft.

Zhu’s Canadian company, IND Diagnostic Inc., had previously been involved in a civil suit in Canada, where it was ordered to pay $300 million for stealing technology related to separating sex chromosomes from bull semen.

Zhu, a Chinese citizen, entered the United States multiple times between 2003 and 2008. During these visits, he identified himself as Qiang “David” He, using an alias. He even possessed an employment authorization card that was deemed authentic by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services. However, fingerprints obtained by the FDA revealed that “He” and “Zhu” were the same person.

Zhu is currently in federal custody, facing charges of manufacturing and distributing medical devices in violation of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. He is also accused of making false statements to the FDA. If convicted, Zhu could face up to three years in prison for selling unlicensed test kits and up to five years for false statements.

The revelations from the House Select Committee’s report have highlighted the need for stronger regulations and oversight in the field of biosafety. The ease with which dangerous pathogens can be obtained and the potential for misuse and harm underscore the importance of ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place to protect public health and safety..