The World Health Organization (WHO) urged Ukraine on Thursday to destroy high-threat viruses stored in the nation’s public health facilities to eliminate “any potential spills” that may spread disease throughout the population.

There is an increased risk of disease-causing viruses escaping if Russia’s military enter Ukraine and its cities are bombarded, according to biosecurity specialists.

Ukraine, like many other nations, has public health labs working on ways to reduce the threat of severe diseases that harm both animals and humans, such as Covid-19. The U.S., the European Union, and the World Health Organization have all lent their assistance to its laboratories.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working with Ukrainian public health laboratories for several years to encourage security standards that help prevent “accidental or deliberate release of pathogens,” according to an e-mail response to questions from Reuters.

The agency said: “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 refused to specify when the suggestion was issued, and it also refused to say what viruses or toxins were kept in Ukraine’s laboratory. The agency also declined to comment on whether or not its suggestions were implemented.

Officials from Ukraine’s embassy in Washington and in Kyiv did not reply to calls for comment.

Since Russia began sending troops into Ukraine two weeks ago, Ukraine’s laboratory capabilities have been at the center of a developing information battle.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated a long-standing assertion that the United States maintains a bioweapons laboratory in Ukraine, an accusation that has been repeatedly denied by both Washington and Kyiv in the past.

Documents discovered by Russian forces in Ukraine, according to Ms Zakharova, show “an emergency attempt to erase evidence of military biological programs” by destroying lab samples.

Revyuh was unable to verify her claims independently.

In response, a representative for the Ukrainian presidential administration said: “Ukraine strictly denies any such allegation.”

Ms Zakharova’s charges were also forcefully refuted by US government spokesmen, who claimed that Russia may use them as an excuse to deploy its own chemical or biological weapons.

Biowarfare was not included in the WHO statement. All parties are encouraged to participate in “the safe and secure disposal of any pathogens they come across, and to reach out for technical assistance as needed,” according to the agency. It volunteered to assist with technical guidance and coordination whenever possible.

According to diplomats, the UN Security Council will meet on Friday at Russia’s request to address Moscow’s assertions of US biological activity in Ukraine, which have been presented without evidence.

Image Credit: Getty

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