WHO advised Ukraine to destroy pathogens in Laboratory to prevent “Potential spills”
“The World Health Organization(WHO) advised Ukraine to destroy the disease-causing Pathogen in their public laboratory to prevent the spill and spread of deadly disease among the population,” told Reuters. In this, ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Russia has bombarded many buildings like maternity hospitals, blocks of apartments etc., so there may be chances of attacking Laboratories too.
Like many other countries, Ukraine has Public Laboratories to research on how to mitigate the threats of dangerous diseases including COVID-19 which affects both animals and human beings. When asked about security facilities in the Laboratory of Ukraine WHO replied in an e-mail on Thursday that it has collaborated with Ukraine health labs for several years to promote security practices that help prevent ” accidental or deliberate release of pathogens”. It was also said that the laboratory has the support of both the United States and Europe along with WHO.
” 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 and united nations agency said. Reuters asked What kind of toxins or pathogens were present in the laboratory but there is no response from both the agency and the organization. The embassy of Ukraine in Washington also didn’t respond to the question.
On Friday, Russia called for a 15 members U.N.security council meeting and stated that Ukraine is testing biological weapons in that laboratories with U.S defence support. This accusation was repeatedly denied by Ukraine and Russia and said that Russia may use it as a pretext to deploy its biological weapons.
Izumi Nakamitsu, the U.N High representative for disarmament Affairs told the security council on Friday that the United Nations is not aware of any biological weapons in Ukraine since there is an international ban for these kinds of weapons on Russia, Ukraine, the United States along with other 180 countries. They have also said that WHO who is in Collaboration with Ukraine is not aware of this kind of activity and don’t support that violate international threats.
The WHO statement to Reuters referred solely to Public health laboratories and said,” the safe and secure disposal of any pathogens they come across and to reach out for technical assistance as needed.” It offered to help whoever was possible with technical guidance and coordination.
