WHO warns of high biohazard risk in Sudan after major lab falls into military hands

The representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Sudan, Nima Saeed Abid, warned Tuesday of the delicate situation affecting the Central Public Health Laboratory. According to Saeed, the center was occupied by military personnel from one of the warring sides in Sudan. The combatants reportedly expelled the technicians and researchers from the center.

In a press conference held telematically, Dr. Saeed assured that this situation poses a "great biological risk". According to Saeed, who says he is in contact with Sudanese health authorities, the lab harbors dangerous strains of viruses and bacteria. Saeed mentioned measles, cholera and polio samples. He reiterated that the situation is "extremely dangerous".

According to Dr. Saeed, the fighting in Sudan is worsening the public health outlook in the country. With no potable water and no electricity supply, the WHO representative warns that the risk of a major cholera epidemic is a scenario to be carefully considered. "Khartoum (Sudan's capital) was already suffering from a dengue outbreak, in addition to a malaria outbreak," Saeed said in his turn to speak. The WHO representative in Sudan estimated that, should the fighting continue, the number of deaths from disease would increase dramatically.

Critical situation in Sudan

After nine days of fighting, the U.S. State Department announced that the parties involved had agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire. Sudan plunged into violence on April 15, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group led by Mohamed "Hemeti" Hamdan Daglo, attacked positions of the Sudanese Army, loyal to General Al Burhan. Since then, it is estimated that nearly 400 civilians have died as a result of the fighting.

Sudan entered a cycle of instability when in 2019 civilian political forces and the military overthrew dictator Omar al Bashir after 30 years of rule. The country then began a democratic transition led by political forces. But in October 2021, General Al Burhan ended the democratic process and runs the country with a military junta. FAR leader Hemeti was the junta's second-in-command until he initiated hostilities with the support of the Russian mercenary group Wagner.