The World Health Organization (WHO) call on Ukraine to destroy high-threat pathogens housed in the country’s public health laboratories to prevent any potential spills that would spread disease among the population.
Biosecurity experts says, “Russia’s movement of troops into Ukraine and bombardment of its cities have raised the risk of an escape of disease-causing pathogens, should any of those facilities be damaged.”
Ukraine has public health laboratories researching how to mitigate the threats of dangerous diseases affecting animals and humans including, most recently, COVID-19.
Its labs have received support from the United States, the European Union and the WHO.
According to WHO, it has collaborated with Ukrainian public health labs for several years to promote security practices that help prevent accidental or deliberate release of pathogens
“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,” the WHO,” a United Nations agency said.
Ukraine’s laboratory capabilities are at the centre of a growing information war since Russia began moving troops into Ukraine two weeks ago.
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Al-Jazeera
