Exclusive: WHO Says It Has Advised Ukraine To Destroy Pathogens In Medical Labs To Prevent Spread Of Disease

Logo on the building of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland on February 2, 2020. Photo taken on February 2, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

March 10 – The World Health Organization has advised Ukraine to destroy highly dangerous pathogens housed in the country’s public health labs to prevent “any potential leaks” that could spread the disease to the population, the agency said on Thursday.

Biosecurity experts say the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine and the bombing of its cities has increased the risk of pathogens leaking out if any of these facilities are damaged.

Like many other countries, Ukraine has public health laboratories that are researching how to reduce the threat of dangerous diseases affecting both animals and humans, including, most recently, COVID-19. His laboratories have received support from the United States, the European Union and WHO.

Responding to questions from Reuters about its work with Ukraine before and during the Russian invasion, the WHO said in an email that it has been working with Ukraine’s public health laboratories for several years to promote safety measures that help prevent “accidental or deliberate release of pathogens.” . .”

“As part of this work, WHO strongly recommended that the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and other responsible authorities destroy especially dangerous pathogens to prevent possible spills,” the WHO, a UN agency, said in a statement.

The WHO did not say when it made this recommendation, nor did it provide details about the types of pathogens or toxins in Ukrainian laboratories. The agency also did not respond to questions about whether its recommendations were followed.

Ukrainian officials in Kyiv and at their embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

Ukraine’s lab capabilities have been at the center of a growing information war ever since Russia began sending troops into Ukraine two weeks ago.

On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova repeated a long-standing claim that the United States was running a biological weapons lab in Ukraine, an allegation repeatedly denied by Washington and Kiev.

Zakharova said documents discovered by Russian forces in Ukraine show an “emergency attempt to erase evidence of military biological programs” by destroying laboratory samples.

Reuters was unable to independently verify her information. More

In response, the press secretary of the President of Ukraine said: “Ukraine categorically denies any such accusations.” US government officials also vehemently denied Zakharova’s allegations, saying Russia could use her statements as a pretext to deploy its own chemical or biological weapons.

The WHO statement does not mention biological warfare. The agency said it called on all parties to cooperate in “the safe and secure disposal of any pathogens they encounter and seek technical assistance as needed.” He offered to help where possible with technical guidance and coordination.

The UN Security Council will meet on Friday at Russia’s request to discuss Moscow’s unsubstantiated allegations of US biological activities in Ukraine, diplomats said.

Reporting by Jennifer Rigby and Jonathan Landay; Edited by Michelle Gershberg and Howard Goller

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