Australian authorities have reported that the ebola virus was not present in the liquid sent from Auckland to Melbourne for testing earlier this week. The liquid was tested at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) and the result was notified to Police and the ESR late yesterday.
The liquid and the small plastic bottle it was in were among other items in a suspicious package delivered to the New Zealand Herald mail room on Tuesday morning.
A document in the package suggested the virus was contained in the bottle. That assertion has clearly been dispelled. Police have notified New Zealand Herald management, along with members of the Fire Service and Police staff who attended on the day.
The Police investigation into the origins of the package and the intent of its contents is ongoing. The bottle is an exhibit in that investigation and is being returned to the ESR.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty