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Contrary to a recent news report, all appropriate precautions, including protections for the government’s intellectual property, were taken before the viruses were shipped, spokesman Eric Morrissette said.

It’s unclear if the transfer had anything to do with the reported dismissal last month of Xiangguo Qiu, a lab scientist who co-discovered a treatment for Ebola, or a related RCMP investigation.

“To advance scientific work worldwide, the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) routinely shares samples of pathogens and toxins with partner laboratories in Canada and in other countries,” said Morrissette in a statement. “These transfers follow strict protocols.”

Asked if the shipment was related to the recent, unusual events at the lab, Morrissette said the agency “continues to look into an administrative matter at the NML” and cannot comment further.

Photo by MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall

The Public Health Agency and police have shed little light generally on the situation, giving rise to much unconfirmed speculation.

There is evidence of more than just a one-off relationship between the Winnipeg laboratory and partners in China, at a time when concern is growing over economic and scientific espionage by Beijing.

Gary Kobinger, the scientist who collaborated with Qiu on the Ebola treatment — now part of an experimental drug called ZMapp — said their discovery was actually copied by a Chinese company, even though it was under patent. But he said the Beijing firm — Mabworks — was upfront about its unauthorized duplication, and ended up working with Canadian and American researchers on the project.