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Nih Researchers Smuggle Monkeypox Us Doj

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Feds: 2 researchers smuggled monkeypox through Detroit airport

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Senior NIH scientist, research fellow charged with bringing deactivated mpox virus into U.S.

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Two researchers charged with allegedly trying to smuggle mpox through Detroit Metro Airport

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Nih Mpox Munster Indictment Montana 00947793

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Two Researchers Charged After Allegedly Trying To Smuggle Mpox Through Airport 11989749

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NIH Researchers Charged in Smuggling of Monkeypox Into US

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2 scientists charged with bringing deactivated mpox virus into the US and lying to authorities

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Of Us Clade I Mpox Cases Before 2027

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Avril Benoit

Ashish Jha

Michael Osterholm

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Thomas J Bollyky

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"If the U.S. withdraws from the WHO, it would severely weaken global health initiatives, disrupt pandemic preparedness efforts, and diminish U.S. influence over international health policy."

"If the United States is no longer a member of WHO, Americans around the world would be more susceptible to disease, but they could also carry it back to the United States and infect multitudes."

"It means we are going to see a lot more disease outbreaks become regional and global, and we will see more disease outbreaks from other countries coming into the U.S."

"The bottom line is that withdrawing from the WHO makes Americans and the world less safe."

"Public health disasters that don't have to happen will happen, because those capacities aren't there anymore [because of the US withdrawal from the WHO]."

"President Trump's decision to withdraw from the WHO could have life-threatening consequences for people in the humanitarian contexts where we work as well as in the US."

Will the US Withdrawal from the WHO Affect Public Health?

Two NIH researchers — Vincent Munster, 53, a Dutch national, and Claude Kwe, 38, a Cameroonian national — have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the United States and making false statements to federal law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Donald Trump

Two NIH researchers — Vincent Munster, 53, a Dutch national, and Claude Kwe, 38, a Cameroonian national — have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the United States and making false statements to federal law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Both men worked at the NIH's Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Mont., a Biosafety Level 4 facility. Munster led the Virus Ecology Section, while Kwe served as a research fellow focused on emerging viral pathogens.

Both men worked at the NIH's Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Mont., a Biosafety Level 4 facility. Munster led the Virus Ecology Section, while Kwe served as a research fellow focused on emerging viral pathogens.

Munster and Kwe reportedly arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Jan. 25, 2026 on a flight originating from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, where an active mpox outbreak was occurring at the time.

Munster and Kwe reportedly arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Jan. 25, 2026 on a flight originating from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, where an active mpox outbreak was occurring at the time.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers observed the pair carrying a large black plastic case, which Munster and Kwe allegedly claimed held diagnostics and testing equipment. A subsequent FBI and CBP investigation revealed the case contained 113 vials stored in Styrofoam coolers.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers observed the pair carrying a large black plastic case, which Munster and Kwe allegedly claimed held diagnostics and testing equipment. A subsequent FBI and CBP investigation revealed the case contained 113 vials stored in Styrofoam coolers.

Of the 20 vials tested by the FBI, 17 contained deactivated monkeypox virus, one contained the chickenpox virus and two contained only human DNA. The USDA determined that the researchers lacked the required federal permit to transport the materials into the United States.

Of the 20 vials tested by the FBI, 17 contained deactivated monkeypox virus, one contained the chickenpox virus and two contained only human DNA. The USDA determined that the researchers lacked the required federal permit to transport the materials into the United States.

Munster and Kwe were scheduled to appear voluntarily in federal court in Missoula, Mont., on Wednesday before facing prosecution in Detroit. Each faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.

Munster and Kwe were scheduled to appear voluntarily in federal court in Missoula, Mont., on Wednesday before facing prosecution in Detroit. Each faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.

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Two NIH researchers, Vincent Munster, 53, a Dutch national, and Claude Kwe, 38, a Cameroonian national, were charged with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the United States and making false statements to federal law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Two NIH researchers, Vincent Munster, 53, a Dutch national, and Claude Kwe, 38, a Cameroonian national, were charged with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the United States and making false statements to federal law enforcement, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

On Jan. 25, 2026, Munster and Kwe arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a flight originating from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, where an active mpox outbreak was occurring at the time.

On Jan. 25, 2026, Munster and Kwe arrived at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a flight originating from Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, where an active mpox outbreak was occurring at the time.

CBP officers observed the pair carrying a large black plastic case, which Munster and Kwe claimed held diagnostics and testing equipment. A subsequent FBI and CBP investigation revealed the case contained 113 vials stored in Styrofoam coolers.

Newsweek #3631

CBP officers observed the pair carrying a large black plastic case, which Munster and Kwe claimed held diagnostics and testing equipment. A subsequent FBI and CBP investigation revealed the case contained 113 vials stored in Styrofoam coolers.

Of the 20 vials tested by the FBI, 17 contained deactivated monkeypox virus, one contained the chickenpox virus and two contained only human DNA. The USDA determined the researchers lacked the required federal permit to transport the materials into the U.S.

Of the 20 vials tested by the FBI, 17 contained deactivated monkeypox virus, one contained the chickenpox virus and two contained only human DNA. The USDA determined the researchers lacked the required federal permit to transport the materials into the U.S.

Munster and Kwe were scheduled to appear voluntarily in federal court in Missoula, Mont., on June 3, before facing prosecution in Detroit. Each faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.

Munster and Kwe were scheduled to appear voluntarily in federal court in Missoula, Mont., on June 3, before facing prosecution in Detroit. Each faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted.

NIH researchers getting charged for allegedly smuggling monkeypox samples proves the system meant to protect Americans has serious cracks in it. If government scientists are willing to bypass federal protocols and risk criminal charges, the oversight infrastructure clearly isn't working. The NIH doesn't need another internal review — it needs a full forensic overhaul from top to bottom.

NIH researchers getting charged for allegedly smuggling monkeypox samples proves the system meant to protect Americans has serious cracks in it. If government scientists are willing to bypass federal protocols and risk criminal charges, the oversight infrastructure clearly isn't working. The NIH doesn't need another internal review — it needs a full forensic overhaul from top to bottom.

Jay Gatling

Jack Danger

The samples involved were reportedly inactivated and not biologically active, meaning this situation is far more nuanced than a dangerous pathogen smuggling plot. NIH has confirmed full cooperation with law enforcement, and an active investigation is already underway. Rushing to declare institutional collapse before the facts are in does more harm than good.

The samples involved were reportedly inactivated and not biologically active, meaning this situation is far more nuanced than a dangerous pathogen smuggling plot. NIH has confirmed full cooperation with law enforcement, and an active investigation is already underway. Rushing to declare institutional collapse before the facts are in does more harm than good.

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Bustling crowds and bus rides are part of the annual peony pilgrimage to Michigan

Peter Daszak

The Mpox Global Public Health Emergency

NIH Researchers Charged Over Monkeypox Smuggling Plot

NIH Researchers Charged Over Monkeypox Smuggling Plot

Infectious diseases

Smuggling

United States of America

This bust proves that the system meant to protect Americans has serious cracks in it. If government scientists are willing to bypass federal protocols and risk criminal charges, the oversight infrastructure clearly isn't working. The NIH doesn't need another internal review, it needs a full forensic overhaul from top to bottom.

This bust proves that the system meant to protect Americans has serious cracks in it. If government scientists are willing to bypass federal protocols and risk criminal charges, the oversight infrastructure clearly isn't working. The NIH doesn't need another internal review, it needs a full forensic overhaul from top to bottom.

The samples involved in this case were reportedly inactivated and not biologically active, meaning this situation is far more nuanced than a dangerous pathogen smuggling plot. NIH has confirmed full cooperation with law enforcement. Rushing to declare institutional collapse before the facts are in does more harm than good.

The samples involved in this case were reportedly inactivated and not biologically active, meaning this situation is far more nuanced than a dangerous pathogen smuggling plot. NIH has confirmed full cooperation with law enforcement. Rushing to declare institutional collapse before the facts are in does more harm than good.

There's a 50% chance that there will be 38 Clade I Mpox cases reported in the United States before Jan. 1, 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 50% chance that there will be 38 Clade I Mpox cases reported in the United States before Jan. 1, 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

NIH Researchers Charged Over Monkeypox Smuggling Plot

NIH Researchers Charged Over Monkeypox Smuggling Plot

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NIH Researchers Charged Over Monkeypox Smuggling Plot

NIH Researchers Charged Over Monkeypox Smuggling Plot

The Spin

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Frieden

Bump

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Go Deeper

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