The recent discovery of a secret Chinese medical laboratory in Reedley, California has thrown the state into a whirlwind.
Local and federal officials were made aware of an illicit lab housing bioengineered mice, hazardous pathogens such as Covid-19, and medical waste back in April due to an unlawfully connected garden hose at the building’s rear.
This led to a months-long investigation that unearthed disturbing details about this facility.
The MidValley Times reported on what was found during the course of this investigation: “From May 2 through May 4, the CDC’s Division of Select Agents and Toxins inspected 850 I Street. Court documents confirm the CDC found potentially infectious agents at the location. These included both bacterial and viral agents, including: chlamydia, E. Coli, streptococcus pneumonia, hepatitis B and C, herpes 1 and 5 and rubella. The CDC also found samples of malaria.”
Joe Prado, Assistant Director for Fresno County Public Health Department revealed on Thursday that his agency had been actively “reviewing and investigating” operations at this site since April.
An abatement process was carried out by FCDPH which eradicated all biological agents by July 7th.
The warehouse was operated under the name Prestige Biotech with president Xiuquin Yao being connected with China.
According to court documents obtained by NBC News, “Yao told officials that Prestige BioTech moved assets belonging to a defunct company, Universal Meditech Inc., to the Reedley warehouse from Fresno after UMI went under.”
Court documents also revealed empty offices or addresses in China tied to Yao which could not be verified when asked for information regarding licensed medical waste disposal or why there were infectious agents present at 850 I Street other than for developing diagnostic testing kits.
Joe Prado offered his insight on these matters:”They (Prestige) completely avoided the questions…This individual (He) was either unaware or was intentionally trying to mislead us.”
Katy Grimes filed public records requests for information between agencies involved as well as any materials discovered during inspection on March 16th according to The MidValley Times report.
It is still unknown if there are any more illegal Chinese labs within our borders but law enforcement are continuing their investigations into this matter.
