India, March 27 -- A routine building inspection in Reedley led to a discovery that has since raised national security and public health concerns across the US.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, a local inspector entered what appeared to be a vacant warehouse in 2023 after noticing a foul smell. Inside, authorities found an unlicensed and illegally operating laboratory containing hundreds of vials labelled as containing pathogens such as COVID-19, HIV and Ebola.

Investigators also discovered around 1,000 laboratory mice, along with makeshift equipment and biological materials stored in unsafe conditions.

Officials later described the site as an illegal operation lacking basic safety protocols.

The warehouse was linked to...