WHO warns of ‘biological risk’ after Sudan fighters seize the public health lab

 

The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized health agency of the intergovernmental organization United Nations, has warned of a “huge biological risk” after Sudanese fighters seized the Public Health Laboratory in Khartoum, the capital of the Republic of Sudan.

The lab in the Sudanese capital was holding samples of various diseases, including polio and measles. Those samples were taken over by RSF (Rapid Support Forces), according to CNN. WHO called it an extremely dangerous situation.

Nima Saeed Abid, the WHO's representative in Sudan, talked to reporters in Geneva about the current situation in Sudan. Nima Saeed Abid reportedly said, "There is a huge biological risk associated with the occupation of the central public health lab by one of the fighting parties." Abid revealed that fighters “kicked out all the technicians from the lab.”

A high-ranking medical source told CNN that laboratory technicians were unable to get access to the laboratory. The facility also suffered due to power cuts.

The WHO's representative in Sudan also received a call from the head of the national laboratory before the 72-hour ceasefire. The head said that the technicians were unable to manage the biological materials.

Reportedly, the WHO's representative said, “Depleting stocks of blood bags risks spoiling due to lack of power. Bio-risk hazards are also very high due to the lack of functioning generators.”

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire on Monday. It came into effect on Tuesday. The United States brokered the ceasefire.

The fighting between the two Sudanese parties started on April 15. According to the United Nations, the fighting has already killed over 400 people and injured more than 3,700 people.

The intense conflict also sparked a mass exodus of foreigners. Many countries also started evacuating their citizens from Sudan.