WHO advises Ukraine to destroy disease-causing pathogens in labs
pharmafile | March 11, 2022 | News story | Medical Communications |
WHO has advised Ukraine to destroy “disease-causing pathogens” kept in public health labs, to prevent “any potential spills”, Reuters has reported. The health agency shared that there was a “high threat” to the population in the pathogens spilling and spreading disease if the labs were bombed.
WHO did not provide details about the pathogens or toxins that could be inside Ukraine’s laboratories, nor when it had made the recommendations. Ukraine, like many countries, has public health laboratories researching how to mitigate the threats of dangerous diseases affecting both animals and humans, including COVID-19. Its labs have received support from the United States, the European Union and WHO.
The global health agency shared that it offered to help with technical guidance and coordination to the countries and Ukraine.
“As part of this work, WHO has strongly recommended to the Ministry of Health in Ukraine and other responsible bodies to destroy high-threat pathogens to prevent any potential spills,” said the global health agency.
The WHO statement made no reference to biowarfare. The agency has stated that it encourages all parties to cooperate in “the safe and secure disposal of any pathogens they come across, and to reach out for technical assistance as needed.” The agency also did not answer questions about whether its recommendations were followed.
Biosecurity experts have stated that Russia’s movement of troops into Ukraine has elevated the risk disease-causing pathogens escaping, should any of the laboratory facilities be damaged.
The agency’s remarks come as Russia has accused Ukraine of secretly operating chemical and biological weapons laboratories, directed by the US. A Ukrainian presidential spokesperson has stated that the country “strictly denies any such allegation”.
Ana Ovey
