Viruses that can be considered a threat to public health and that are stored in laboratories in Ukraine should be destroyed immediately, as the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised this country in statements to the Reuters agency, with the objective of avoiding “any potential spill” that could contribute to its spread among the population and trigger the appearance of diseases.
The risk of these pathogens escaping has increased, according to biosafety experts, as a result of the movement of troops from Russia to Ukraine and the bombing of the Ukrainian cities where these public health laboratories are located, whose facilities could be damaged, and in which investigates how to combat the threat posed by infectious diseases that, like COVID-19, can affect both animals and humans.
WHO calls for cooperation to safely eliminate pathogens
Regarding its work with Ukraine before and during the Russian invasion, the WHO has reported in an email that it has collaborated with Ukraine’s public health laboratories for years to promote safety practices that help prevent the “accidental release of or deliberate of pathogens”. And UN officials have indicated that in its work with Ukraine the WHO is not aware of any activity in Ukraine that violates international treaties “including on chemical weapons or biological weapons.”
The WHO encourages all parties to cooperate in “the safe removal of any pathogens they encounter, and to seek technical assistance as necessary.”
“As part of this work, the WHO has strongly recommended the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and other responsible agencies to destroy high-threat pathogens to prevent potential spills.” The WHO statement to Reuters only refers to public health laboratories, and the organization encourages all parties to cooperate in “the safe removal of any pathogens they find, and to seek technical assistance as necessary,” and also offers their help whenever possible to guide on technique and coordination.
The WHO has not specified when it made this recommendation, nor has it provided details about the types of pathogens or toxins that are stored in Ukrainian laboratories, nor did it answer questions about whether its recommendations were followed. Ukrainian officials in kyiv and at its embassy in Washington have not responded to requests for comment.
.
