Reuters is reporting that World Health Organization (WHO) advised Ukraine to destroy “disease-causing pathogens”> Wait, hold up a second. The World Health Organization or WHO is advising Ukraine to destroy “disease-causing pathogens” that are housed in “bio-research” facilities all over Ukraine. The fear is that they may “accidently spill” or fall into the hands of Russia. But didn’t the US government and media say this was all a conspiracy theory? Then why is Reuters reporting it?
WHO says it advised Ukraine to destroy pathogens in health labs to prevent disease spread.
Ukraine labs received support from the US, the EU and the WHO.
Russia's attack has raised the risk of an escape of disease-causing pathogenshttps://t.co/LwuiQAUbex
— Selvam 🚩 (@tisaiyan) March 11, 2022
Health Lab? Bio Labs don’t exist? Better get better writershttps://t.co/WYh2VAzSW1
— Steve Pieczenik (@StevePieczenik) March 11, 2022
The World Health Organization advised Ukraine to destroy high-threat pathogens housed in the country’s public health laboratories to prevent “any potential spills” that would spread disease among the population, the agency told Reuters.
Like many other countries, Ukraine has public health laboratories researching how to mitigate the threats of dangerous diseases affecting both animals and humans including, most recently, COVID-19. Its labs have received support from the United States, the European Union and the WHO.
Biosecurity experts say Russia’s movement of troops into Ukraine and bombardment of its cities have raised the risk of an escape of disease-causing pathogens, should any of those facilities be damaged.
In response to questions from Reuters about its work with Ukraine ahead of and during Russia’s invasion, the WHO said in an email on Thursday that it has collaborated with Ukrainian public health labs for several years to promote security practices that help prevent “accidental or deliberate release of pathogens.”
“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, a United Nations agency, said.