by L Richardson
The recent incident involving potential exposure to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana raises critical concerns regarding laboratory biosafety and the management of high-risk pathogens on U.S. soil. This essay examines the circumstances surrounding the breach, evaluates the risk such events pose to public health and national security, and analyzes calls for increased accountability and transparency from the institutions involved. By assessing both the incident and its implications for policy, the discussion aims to clarify the scope and urgency of the issues at stake.
The incident at the National Institutes of Health’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Montana, involving the release, loss, or theft of a ‘select agent’ in November 2025, has raised significant concerns regarding biosafety and national security. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 10 incidents involving select agents have been reported in federally regulated laboratories over the past 5 years. (2022 Annual Report of the Federal Select Agent Program: Infographic of Findings, n.d.) This breach is not a minor procedural error; it represents a substantial risk to public health. Specifically, a laboratory staff member was exposed to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a highly pathogenic virus known to cause severe hemorrhagic symptoms and organ failure. (Nosocomial infections caused by Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, 2019, pp. 2257-2265)
The exposure occurred on November 3, 2025, and has drawn comparisons to previous international laboratory safety concerns. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne viral disease with a reported fatality rate ranging from five to thirty percent. (Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, 2025) Notably, only one case has previously been documented in the United States, involving an individual who contracted the virus abroad. (Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, 2021) RML is a high-containment facility that conducts research involving the infection of animals with highly contagious and lethal viruses, such as Ebola, Lassa, Nipah, and Yersinia pestis (plague). These activities have prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability regarding the potential risks posed by such research. (Senator Marshall Introduces Legislation to Halt Dangerous Viral Gain-of-Function Research, 2025)
The Shocking Facts: What Really Happened
The White Coat Waste Project (WCW) reported a significant biosafety breach at Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Montana in January 2026. Their investigation revealed that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had quietly reported the release, loss, or theft of a ‘select agent’ in November 2025 [1]. WCW obtained official documents through Freedom of Information Act requests, which were authenticated to ensure their credibility. The organization systematically analyzed these documents to identify evidence of potential negligence and lapses in transparency.
The incident chronologically:
The story unfolded systematically. WCW found and published minutes from the NIH Institutional Biosafety Committee meeting on November 20, 2025. Biosafety officer Rebecca Anderson’s report contained a critical revelation under “Biological Incidents to Report”: “Form 3 reported to Federal Select Agent Program on 11/13/2025” [2]. The committee ended its meeting an hour early without discussing this vital report.
Form 3 is not simple paperwork. This mandatory government document (APHIS/CDC Form 3) requires immediate submission when labs discover a theft, loss, or release of a regulated biological agent [2]. It signals a potentially catastrophic breach.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) publicly acknowledged the incident after WCW’s report was disseminated. HHS press secretary Emily Hilliard confirmed that an RML employee was potentially exposed to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever due to an accidental breach of personal protective equipment. It is important to distinguish between potential exposure, which indicates a possible breach of safety protocols and risk of contact with the virus, and confirmed infection, which requires evidence that the virus has entered the body and caused illness. In this instance, the employee was immediately isolated and monitored in a specialized medical facility. Fortunately, it was subsequently confirmed that no actual exposure or transmission had occurred, effectively containing the danger and ensuring there was no risk posed to the public at any time.
HHS stated, “At no time was there any risk to the public or to other staff” [2]. While Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is associated with severe symptoms, including hemorrhage, and has a fatality rate of 5% to 40%—substantially higher than the seasonal influenza rate of less than 0.1%—the immediate risk in this case was mitigated by prompt isolation and containment procedures.
The sequence of events reveals concerning patterns:
- November 3, 2025: Lab staffer exposed to CCHF through PPE breach
- November 13, 2025: Form 3 filed with the Federal Select Agent Program. November 20, 2025: Biosafety Committee briefly notes incident, then quickly adjourns
- January 2026: WCW exposes the breach documents
After the exposure, HHS finally acknowledged the incident but consistently downplayed the potential risks involved. HHS stated, “At no time was there any risk to the public or to other staff” [2]. Additionally, Emily Hilliard emphasized that the exposed employee was immediately isolated and monitored, adding that no actual exposure or transmission had occurred. Yet this response was perceived by many as an attempt to minimize the seriousness of the breach, prompting skepticism among those calling for transparency and accountability. The failure to promptly inform the public until the watchdog group White Coat Waste Project brought the issue to light through its release of documents suggests an attempt to keep the situation under wraps. The Federal Select Agent Program (FSAP), jointly run by the CDC and USDA, oversees “select agents and toxins, which pose a threat to public, animal, or plant health” [2]. According to FSAP policy guidelines, any incident involving the release, theft, or loss of these agents requires immediate notification and public disclosure. Despite this requirement, they remained quiet about this incident for months, highlighting a significant lapse in transparency and accountability. (NIH Admits Staffer Infected With ‘Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever’ Following Infowars Report On Accident at Montana Biolab, 2026)
Highlight:
RML’s background raises more concerns. Dr. Fauci established this Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory during his tenure as NIAID director [3]. The CDC states that “the microbes in a BSL-4 lab are dangerous and exotic, posing a high risk of aerosol-transmitted infections. Infections caused by these microbes are frequently fatal and without treatment or vaccines” [3]. Advocates for this type of research argue that the work conducted at RML is critical for developing vaccines and therapies against highly dangerous pathogens, potentially enabling rapid responses to future outbreaks and protecting public health on a large scale. Although RML asserts that its vaccine research benefits millions globally, critics emphasize that the inherent risks—such as accidental release or exposure—must be carefully weighed against these public health benefits. Addressing these counterarguments is essential in order to evaluate whether the advantages of such high-level research sufficiently justify the potential dangers involved.
The lab conducts “high-risk monkey experiments” with deadly pathogens [1]. Many primates come from “Fauci’s Monkey Island,” where they breed animals for these experiments [4].
WCW’s Justin Goodman responded emphatically to HHS’s explanation: “CCHF is a foreign virus that causes massive bleeding, multi-organ failure, and has a kill rate as high as 40 percent” [2]. He noted that “Recklessly importing CCHF to the US for dangerous animal experiments is [a] recipe for disaster right [out] of Dr. Fauci’s cookbook” [2].
RML’s safety record shows concerning violations:
- Focusing on the most harrowing incident, an escaped Lassa-infected mouse, the implications of such a breach become starkly evident. The mouse roamed freely until it was recaptured the next day, revealing a frightening gap in containment protocols that highlights potential risks of pathogen spread and public exposure. RML officials “did not believe they needed to report the escaped rodent but later did when instructed to by a CDC official’ [3].]
The facility infected Egyptian fruit bats from a Maryland zoo with a coronavirus from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology under Fauci’s leadership. This specific study was a part of broader surveillance efforts to monitor potential zoonotic threats rather than engage in gain-of-function research. One researcher was “a key collaborator with the researchers who conducted the dangerous experiments on bat coronaviruses at the WIV.”
RML maintains “a long and ongoing history of collaborations with EcoHealth Alliance, the virus-hunting group that steered U.S. taxpayer dollars into the Wuhan Institute for research on bat coronaviruses” [3]. EcoHealth violated NIH grant policies and “repeatedly refused requests to turn over key documents about those experiments, which could contain crucial clues about the origins of COVID-19” [3].
WCW sued the NIH under the Freedom of Information Act (White Coat Waste Exposes Accident with Deadly Virus at NIH Animal Lab, 2026), after years of investigating RML [1]. This action led to the release of unseen photos and videos showing primates “intentionally infected with CCHF, COVID, and other viruses” [1]. Other footage revealed “piglets being infected with Ebola and suffering from the virus” [1].
NIH currently spends $125 million in COVID-19 funds to build (NIH Cuts Billions in Grants for Covid-19 Research, 2025) a new vivarium facility for more animal experiments, including BSL-3 and BSL-4 studies [3]. This raises questions about using taxpayer money to fund research with foreign pathogens on American soil. Consider the potential alternatives: this sum could finance initiatives to develop safer diagnostic tests, ensuring better preparedness and protection for millions of Americans. Instead, this money is funneled into high-risk experiments, leaving taxpayers to question the priorities of those in charge.
The ongoing research activities at RML, including the importation of high-risk pathogens for experimental purposes, have raised concerns about biosafety and the potential for future public health emergencies. Calls for increased transparency and oversight have intensified in response to these incidents. (Morello, 2026)
Deep State Ties & Fauci’s Legacy of Danger
Recent biosafety incidents, such as the alleged breach involving the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, have sparked significant public concern and debate over the safety, ethical oversight, and transparency associated with high-containment biological research in the United States. Critics argue that these events highlight ongoing issues in research governance and the legacy of leadership in managing high-risk pathogen studies.
The dots are clear:
The proof is clear! Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML (NIH Institutional Biosafety Committee Minutes, August 2025, 2025) works directly under the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)—Fauci controlled this agency for decades until his so-called “retirement” [5]. This lab is built specifically to handle deadly pathogens and is housed in Biosafety Level 4 facilities that work with mankind’s deadliest viruses!
RML isn’t a new threat—it has been a deep-state bioweapon factory since it joined the National Institutes of Health in 1937 [6]. The lab specializes in vector-borne diseases and exotic illnesses. They claim to be “eminently positioned” to handle what they call “infectious disease threats” [5]. The truth is simple: They’ve brought foreign killers onto U.S. soil for decades!
Your tax dollars fund these activities at this Montana bioweapon playground:
- A specialized Integrated Research Facility opened in 2008 that houses BSL-2, BSL-3, AND BSL-4 laboratory spaces in ONE building [5] (BSL-4 is for pathogens with NO TREATMENT and NO VACCINE that cause FATAL DISEASE through AEROSOL TRANSMISSION!)
- Research programs studying deadly pathogens, including COVID-19, tick-borne encephalitis viruses, and other “select agents” labeled as Category A, B, or C by the CDC [5]
- Experiments on monkeys and other animals are conducted in which they are intentionally infected with these killers.
The operational practices at RML have come under scrutiny due to perceived gaps in oversight, reminiscent of concerns raised in previous international laboratory incidents. These issues underscore the need for rigorous management of high-risk experimental research within the United States. (Morello, 2026)
The system creates perfect conditions for disaster. RML runs multiple research programs that study specific infectious diseases, including COVID-19, Lyme disease, tularemia, Salmonella, prion diseases, and tickborne encephalitis viruses [5]. These aren’t just academic studies—they manipulate lethal pathogens that could destroy entire communities if released!
The American people remain in the dark about RML’s true activities. This lab has long worked on research similar to the dangerous gain-of-function experiments that likely created COVID-19! (Rosendale moves to strip pathogen research funding from Rocky Mountain Laboratories, 2023)
The evidence speaks volumes. The Obama Administration paused gain-of-function research activities and funding in October 2014 [3]. This research team received a letter requesting a “voluntary pause” of its research [3]. They wouldn’t need to pause unless they were doing something very dangerous. Yet they kept going!
It is important to distinguish between institutional relationships and direct causative influence. While Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) and other U.S. research institutions have engaged in collaborations and funding flows involving entities such as the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the existence of these connections does not, in itself, establish direct causation or intent behind any specific research outcomes. Notably, Fauci’s tenure at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases coincided with grants channeled through EcoHealth Alliance to the Wuhan Institute, as highlighted in congressional investigations. Congressman Guy Reschenthaler reported that $1.1 million in taxpayer funding during the Obama administration was directed to the Wuhan Institute of Virology via EcoHealth Alliance, with the stated purpose to “advance research on viruses that could harm human and animal health” [3]. However, the fact of funding connection should not be interpreted as evidence of deliberate coordination or causation of subsequent events.
America First means putting our safety before globalist “science” experiments! We just need an immediate congressional investigation into all Fauci-linked biolabs on U.S. soil! Patriots can take several actions to contribute to this cause:
1. Sign petitions calling for investigations into these facilities and demand government accountability.
2. Join or organize local rallies to raise awareness about the potential dangers these labs pose.
3. Support watchdog groups like White Coat Waste Project that are actively bringing these issues to light.
4. Reach out to your local representatives by phone or email and urge them to take action on this critical issue.
5. Utilize social media platforms to spread the word and encourage others to participate.
🇺🇸🔥🦅 #FauciLabLeak #BioTerrorCoverUp #DrainTheSwamp #PatriotsRise.
Proof from True Sources
The media landscape has witnessed an explosion of truth as patriot journalists reveal what the establishment tries to hide. Mainstream media deliberately buried the Fauci Montana Lab Leak scandal. For instance, a reputable media outlet chose not to run an investigative piece on the lab leak, even though it had all the key information. Allegedly, editorial decisions were influenced by political and commercial pressures, illustrating a glaring instance of suppression. Yet fearless truth-tellers bring you the real story that globalists want to suppress.
Independent media outlets challenge the official narrative with overwhelming evidence. These patriot sources expose the bioweapon playground in Montana. Document after document proves the catastrophic breach at Rocky Mountain Laboratories, while corporate media remains silent.
Daily Mail scoop on exposure emergency:
The Daily Mail revealed how a suspected exposure to the lethal CCHF virus triggered emergency protocols at the high-security laboratory on November 3, 2025 [7]. The lab operates at biosafety level 4—the highest containment level—yet failed to prevent this dangerous breach [7].
The virus causes “bleeding skin rashes, as well as blood spilling out of small capillaries, such as around the eyes” with fatality rates from five to 30 percent [7]. White Coat Waste had previously exposed RML’s experiments with SARS-like viruses a year before the Covid pandemic [7].
MSN raw facts:
MSN confirmed a lab worker’s protective equipment breach during work with the deadly Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus [2]. The lab’s core team includes specially trained scientists, technicians, and security personnel working around the clock [2].
A June 2025 NIH-backed report showed the lab conducted animal experiments with CCHFV for vaccine research [2]. These experiments included “injecting pigs with Ebola and infecting monkeys with Covid-19” to study hemorrhagic fever. The symptoms include “vomiting blood, internal bleeding, bleeding in the brain and from the eyes, nose, and mouth” [2].
Infowars NIH admission break:
Infowars broke this story wide open. The NIH admitted a worker’s infection with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever after White Coat Waste Project’s document discovery [8].
White Coat Waste Project’s Senior Vice President Justin Goodman stated: “There’s only ever been one single case in the U.S., and it was someone who was traveling abroad and brought it back here. So this is an absolute recipe for disaster and an accident waiting to happen” [8]. Patriots have warned about the dangers of bringing foreign killers onto American soil.
Just The News worker exposure deep dive:
Health and Human Services confirmed an employee “found to be potentially exposed to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever through an accidental breach of personal protective equipment” [9]. WCW Senior VP Justin Goodman responded with “four exclamation points” to the HHS explanation [9].
CCHF is “a foreign virus that causes massive bleeding, multi-organ failure, and has a kill rate as high as 40 percent” [9]. Goodman warned that “Recklessly importing CCHF to the US for dangerous animal experiments is [a] recipe for disaster right [out] of Dr Fauci’s cookbook” [9].
Gateway Pundit Fauci funding connections:
Gateway Pundit exposed Fauci’s funding of 60 projects at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, all of which were connected to the Chinese military [10]. Fauci’s NIAID channeled over USD 17.00 million in U.S. research grants to scientists linked to the People’s Liberation Army [11].
The NIH renewed funding for Dr. Anthony Fauci’s “Monkey Island” off South Carolina’s coast [12]. American taxpayers fund this USD 26.90 million project, which has already cost over USD 66.00 million [12]. These monkeys with “numeric chest tattoos” end up in federal laboratories where scientists infect them with viruses, mutilate, and kill them [12].
WCW exclusive docs/blog:
White Coat Waste Project’s investigations revealed the NIH Institutional Biosafety Committee minutes for November 20, 2025, including the Form 3 report [9]. Their FOIA requests forced the government to admit.
RML’s 2018 collaboration involved NIH researchers infecting bats with a “SARS-like” virus alongside the Wuhan Institute of Virology [7]. The lab now spends USD 125.00 million in COVID-19 funds on a new biosafety level 2 facility for animal breeding and experiments [13].
Truth vs. Mainstream Media
Independent journalists have reported extensively on the risks associated with high-containment biological research in the United States. To address concerns about transparency and public safety, one proposed solution is for Congress to enact legislation mandating the online disclosure of all biosafety incident reports. Such a policy would enhance institutional accountability and ensure that the public remains informed about laboratory safety practices. Legislative action of this nature would provide a constructive framework for improving oversight and safeguarding public health. Therefore, I urge you to take direct action by contacting your lawmakers. Advocate for the support and passage of bills that demand transparency in biosafety practices. This empowers activists and citizens alike to push for essential legislative changes, ensuring that public safety is prioritized.
Senators Joni Ernst and Eric Schmitt demanded answers from the NIH: “There is no room for error and no excuse for carelessness, since even a minor mishap can be catastrophic when dealing with dangerous biological agents, especially those with pandemic potential” [13].
The truth about Fauci’s Montana Lab Leak reaches Americans despite Big Tech censorship and media blackouts. Real journalists protect your families from the next pandemic. Share this truth everywhere—Facebook can’t silence us all! 🇺🇸🦅
The Bigger Threat: Why This Matters to Every American
The recent biosafety incident at Rocky Mountain Laboratories has raised concerns about the potential risks of gain-of-function research in the United States. Such research, if not properly regulated, could pose significant threats to public health, healthcare infrastructure, and national security. The situation poses a risk of a widespread public health crisis in the United States, similar in scale to previous international incidents.
This situation could be as difficult as the one in Wuhan! While China dealt with its crisis, this catastrophic breach happened in Montana, where taxpayers fund their own demise! The risk that these labs could start a pandemic cannot be ignored. Modern technology means that gain-of-function experiments could trigger the next pandemic [4]. RML doesn’t protect us—it’s like they’re pointing a loaded gun at America!
These experiments allow pathogens to evade vaccines, treatments, and detection methods [4]. We face a possible NATIONWIDE WIPEOUT without warning or defense! The Biden Administration allowed this dangerous research to continue with minimal oversight [14]. Trump’s executive order should restrict studies that could make infectious pathogens deadlier or more transmissible [4]—yet RML keeps playing its dangerous games!
Biological hazards know no borders, so we need aligned policies to manage biosafety risks [15]. A threat in one place becomes a threat EVERYWHERE [15]! Why do we allow foreign killer viruses on OUR soil? The answer jumps out: DEEP STATE ELITES care more about “global science” than American lives!
The evidence of BETRAYAL keeps piling up:
- Scientists struggle to get public data about laboratory incidents in life sciences research [16]
- Lab reporting shows troubling gaps – 97% of biosafety officers watch labs that should report pathogen exposure, but 63% admit these reports stay i (Results of a 2020 Survey on Reporting Requirements and Practices for Biocontainment Laboratory Accidents, 2021, pp. 179-187)nternal [17]
- Safety officers know the truth – 82% say workers won’t report incidents because they fear losing jobs and (Results of a 2020 Survey on Reporting Requirements and Practices for Biocontainment Laboratory Accidents, 2021, pp. 1385-21)funding [17]
- More maximum containment labs pop up worldwide without strong international safety standards, making accidents more likely [15]
NIH claims they’re starting a “Biosafety Modernization Initiative” [18], but don’t fall for this SMOKESCREEN! Lab animals receive greater protection than humans do in research involving potential pandemic pathogens [15]. This goes beyond negligence—they’re CRIMINALLY ENDANGERING American lives!
The White Coat Waste Project revealed how this connects to the broader BIOWEAPON NETWORK. RML acts as a crucial part of the SAME SYSTEM that likely released COVID-19! NIH talks about “strengthening partnerships with institutional oversight bodies” [18] while hiding the Form 3 report for months!
Eventually, one of these “accidents” will break free completely. Without combined data on laboratory incidents, we can’t predict when a virus might escape [16]. The public remains clueless about previous near-misses. Experts worry that publishing gain-of-function research data poses safety risks even under government supervision [16].
There is a growing call for comprehensive policy measures to prevent the importation and mishandling of high-risk pathogens. Advocates urge Congress to consider restricting funding for certain laboratory activities, increasing oversight, and implementing stronger biosafety protocols to protect public health.
Clean up this mess before the next “oops” destroys YOUR family! America FIRST means Americans SAFE! Stop using our tax dollars to fund pandemics on OUR land! 🇺🇸🔥🦅
Call to Action & Patriot Rally Cry
Patriots must take action now. The Montana bleeding-eye virus scandal needs a response from Americans who value freedom and safety. We must dismantle the globalist bioweapon complex before the next pandemic affects your family.
True patriot lawmakers are taking action in response to these revelations. U.S. Senators Joni Ernst and Eric Schmitt asked NIH about experiments on pathogens with pandemic potential at Fauci-funded labs on American soil [19]. Their message stands clear: “There is no room for error and no excuse for carelessness, since even a minor mishap can be catastrophic when dealing with dangerous biological agents” [19].
These lawmakers exposed several security breaches at RML:
- An unauthorized child wandered near the primate facility [19]
- A mouse infected with an Ebola-like virus escaped its cage for a full day [19]
- RML officials “did not believe they needed to report the escaped rodent” until the CDC forced them [19]
Rep. Rosendale moved to strip funding for pathogen research at Rocky Mountain Laboratories [5]. His Amendment No. 133 would stop any funding for gain-of-function research “involving a potential pandemic pathogen” at this facility [5]. HHS formally debarred EcoHealth Alliance and Dr. Peter Daszak after COVID investigations revealed pandemic-era wrongdoing [6].
Secretary Kennedy’s stance remains firm: “Ending wasteful NIH primate testing doesn’t require new laws or regulations. It requires leadership willing to arrange actions with words” [20]. Dr. Rand Paul issued subpoenas to fourteen agencies about COVID-19 origins and risky gain-of-function research [21]. He stated, “For four years, I have requested records from NIH only to be stonewalled” [21].
Call your representatives at 202-224-3121 to demand immediate hearings on Rocky Mountain Labs. Your voice is crucial in holding these facilities accountable and ensuring public safety. This is the most impactful action you can take right now. The deep state fears informed patriots taking action. Additionally, consider joining watchdog groups that advocate for public safety and transparency in laboratory practices. Attend town hall meetings to voice your concerns and engage with community members who share your interests. Organize or participate in local events to raise awareness about the importance of strict oversight in high-risk pathogen research. These actions help create a broader movement for change, ensuring your voice is part of the national call for accountability.
Note that a mouse with Ebola escaped for 24 hours in this facility [19]. The next breach might not be caught in time. This goes beyond politics—it’s about survival. Take action now before it’s too late! 🇺🇸🔥🦅 #FauciLabLeak #In summary, the biosafety breach at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in November 2025 underscores persistent vulnerabilities in the management of high-risk pathogens within U.S. research facilities. The incident involving potential exposure to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus and its delayed disclosure, despite federal reporting requirements, highlights significant challenges in transparency and institutional accountability. As congressional lawmakers intensify scrutiny and advocate for increased oversight and potential restrictions on gain-of-function research, this case serves as a catalyst for broader debate on the balance between scientific advancement and public safety. The imperative now is clear: enhanced oversight, robust policy reforms, and greater public engagement are essential to ensure that biosafety practices protect both public health and national security.
Key Takeaways
• A biosafety breach occurred at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in November 2025 involving potential exposure to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus through compromised protective equipment.
• The incident was reported to federal authorities via Form 3 on November 13, 2025, but only became public after watchdog group White Coat Waste Project exposed the documents.
• Rocky Mountain Laboratories operates as a high-security BSL-4 facility conducting research on dangerous pathogens, including experiments involving imported viruses and animal testing.
• Congressional lawmakers, including Senators Ernst and Schmitt, have demanded investigations into safety protocols at federally funded pathogen research facilities.
• The article advocates for increased oversight and potential defunding of gain-of-function research at government laboratories, citing concerns about pandemic preparedness and public safety.
FAQs
Q1. What happened at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana? In November 2025, there was a biosafety incident at Rocky Mountain Laboratories involving potential exposure of a lab worker to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus due to a breach in personal protective equipment.
Q2. How dangerous is the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus? Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a severe viral disease that can cause massive bleeding, organ failure, and has a fatality rate ranging from 5% to 40%. It’s considered a high-risk pathogen with no specific treatment or vaccine available.
Q3. Why was this virus being studied at a U.S. laboratory? The virus was imported for research purposes, including potential vaccine development and studies on hemorrhagic fevers. Rocky Mountain Laboratories conducts experiments on various dangerous pathogens as part of its mission to study infectious diseases.
Q4. How was the public informed about this incident? The incident was not immediately disclosed to the public. It came to light in January 2026 after a watchdog group, White Coat Waste Project, uncovered documents through investigation and Freedom of Information Act requests.
Q5. What actions have been taken in response to this incident? Some lawmakers have called for investigations into safety protocols at federally funded pathogen research facilities. There have been proposals to increase oversight and potentially defund certain types of high-risk research at the government.
References.
The information and analysis in this essay draw upon a wide range of primary and secondary sources, including official government documents, institutional reports, peer-reviewed research, and investigative journalism. Key sources include the 2022 Annual Report of the Federal Select Agent Program (2022), CDC and WHO fact sheets and guidance on Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (Nosocomial infections caused by Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, 2019; Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, 2025), congressional records and legislative documents detailing federal funding and oversight of high-risk pathogen research (Rosendale, 2023; Senator Marshall Introduces Legislation to Halt Dangerous Viral Gain-of-Function Research, 2025), and investigative articles by media organizations such as the Daily Mail (2025), MSN (2026), and Just The News (2026). Additional insight into biosafety policy development, reporting practices, and oversight challenges is derived from peer-reviewed studies in Applied Biosafety (2021) and the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (2021). Freedom of Information Act disclosures and watchdog organization reports, particularly those by the White Coat Waste Project (2026), further substantiate critical events discussed herein. For a complete record of sources cited, please consult the enumerated list provided in the preceding section.
References
[1] – https://www.congress.gov/117/meeting/house/114270/documents/HHRG-117-GO24-20211201-SD004.pdf
[2] – https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/emergency-at-top-secret-us-lab-triggered-by-suspected-exposure-to-deadly-bleeding-eye-virus/ar-AA1UKGur
[3] – https://reschenthaler.house.gov/media/press-releases/reschenthaler-uncovers-11-million-taxpayer-funding-sent-wuhan-institute
[4] – https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01411-6
[5] – https://dailymontanan.com/2023/11/29/rosendale-moves-to-strip-pathogen-research-funding-from-rocky-mountain-laboratories/
[6] – https://oversight.house.gov/release/breaking-hhs-formally-debars-ecohealth-alliance-dr-peter-daszak-after-covid-select-reveals-pandemic-era-wrongdoing/
[7] – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15488095/Suspected-exposure-deadly-bleeding-eye-virus-triggers-emergency-secret-US-lab.html
[8] – https://www.infowars.com/posts/nih-admits-staffer-infected-with-crimean-congo-hemorrhagic-fever-following-infowars-report-on-accident-at-montana-biolab
[9] – https://justthenews.com/accountability/watchdogs/biological-incident-federal-pathogen-lab-shines-light-trump-admin
[10] – https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/09/breaking-dr-fauci-funded-60-projects-wuhan-institute-virology-conjunction-chinese-military/
[11] – https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/12/sellin-exclusive-anthony-fauci-directly-funds-research-chinese-military-scientists/
[12] – https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/04/attn-doge-nih-renews-massive-funding-faucis-infamously/
[13] – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12721561/Senators-probe-Fauci-run-virus-lab-Montana-Lawmakers-demand-answers-Daily-Mail-revealed-scientists-tinkering-Covid-like-viruses-years-pandemic.html
[14] – https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/improving-the-safety-and-security-of-biological-research/
[15] – https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/modernizing-biosecurity-and-biosafety-us-key-lessons-learned
[16] – https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47114
[17] – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8739841/
[18] – https://osp.od.nih.gov/policies/biosafety-and-biosecurity-policy/
[19] – https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ernst-schmitt-demand-answers-about-risky-research-at-fauci-funded-lab
[20] – https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/778179/nih-is-rfks-primate-testing-problem-child/
[21] – https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/reps/dr-paul-issues-subpoenas-to-fourteen-agencies-regarding-covid-19-origins-and-risky-gain-of-function-research/
[22] – (n.d.). 2022 Annual Report of the Federal Select Agent Program: Infographic of Findings. https://www.selectagents.gov/resources/publications/annualreport/infographic-2022.htm
[23] – (2019). Nosocomial infections caused by Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus. Emerging Infectious Diseases 25(12), pp. 2257-2265. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2512.190537
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