The World Health Organization released an updated report on Friday detailing medicines governments should have on hand in the event of a radiological or nuclear emergency.
Governments should have a national stockpile of personal protective equipment, but also a range of medicines including potassium iodide tablets, antiemetics, anti-diarrheal agents, decorating agents, alkylating agents and other medicines, WHO said.
“It is critical that governments are prepared to protect the health of the population and respond promptly to emergencies,” said Dr. Maria Neira, the acting deputy director-general of the WHO, in a statement on Friday. “This includes keeping life-saving medicines available, reducing risks and treating injuries from radiation.”
Marcin Rossak, a local firefighter, opens a box of iodine tablets at Milanowek fire station, one of the distribution points, October 10, 2022 in Milanowek, Poland. (Artur Widak/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Radiological disasters can result from an accident at a nuclear power plant or the deliberate detonation of a nuclear bomb in an armed conflict.
The WHO did not name a specific conflict, but the threat of a radiological disaster became clear worldwide last year with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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The Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said this month his agency is establishing a “continuous presence of nuclear safety and security experts” at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities to “help prevent a nuclear accident during the current military conflict.” to prevent”.
Russian officials have also repeatedly reminded the world that they have weapons of mass destruction, with Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, saying last week that the “loss of a nuclear power in a conventional war marks the start of a conventional war.” can provoke a nuclear war.”
A Russian soldier patrols the territory of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Energodar, May 1, 2022. (ANDREY BORODULIN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Friday’s WHO report updates a list from 2007, and the organization said more novel treatments could be on the way.
“Research is advancing in the development of novel treatments and making technical advances that may lead to new products for use during a radiation emergency,” the report said.
Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @KincaidBest.