04 May 2011
A courier vehicle was hijacked on May 3 between Oliver Tambo International airport and premises of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in Sandringham, Johannesburg. The vehicle was recovered on Satyn Hout Road in Esther Park (next to the Greenstone Mall area), but unfortunately the package destined for the National Institute for Communicable Diseases was missing. The package contains potentially infectious poliovirus. The package does contain contact details of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and biohazard markings. A similar package is seen in the attached photograph. The public are requested to not tamper with the package and to contact the NICD immediately, the details of which will be on the outside of the package or to contact SAPS Sebenza station 011-4524647.
Issued by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases a division of the National Health Laboratory Service
For enquiries contact Nombuso Shabalala on 011 555 0545 or 082 886 4238
