Alarming! WHO warns of ‘huge biological risk’ in Sudan as fighters take control of lab with virus samples

Key Takeaways
. Armed groups in Sudan have seized the National Public Health Laboratory in the capital Khartoum
. The Sudanese army & the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are involved in a fresh outbreak of violence
. The crisis has left hundreds dead, while thousands of people have fled the country

YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — The World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a “huge biological risk” on Tuesday after fighters in Sudan took control of a lab containing virus samples. Calling the situation “extremely serious”, the UN body said the samples were from diseases including cholera, polio, and measles.

As several nations rushed to implement rapid evacuation efforts for their citizens from the country, Sudanese fighters seized the National Public Health Laboratory in the capital Khartoum. 

According to Nima Saeed Abid, WHO’s representative in Sudan, the armed outfit forcefully kicked out the lab technicians before taking control, thus creating a risk of biological contamination.

“Now it is completely under the control of one of the fighting parties as a military base. There is a huge biological risk associated with the occupation of the [health lab] by one of the fighting parties,” 

he said. 

Sudan is currently experiencing a large outbreak of dengue fever and malaria. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization condemned the violence. He further called on the sides to allow people infected people to have access to necessary medication and treatment.  

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What is happening in Sudan?

The entire crisis in Sudan evolves around two rival groups: the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group known as Rapid Support Forces or SPF.

In 2019, following months of protests, a military coup ousted longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, who had ruled Sudan since 1989. A temporary Government called the Transitional Sovereignty Council was formed in his place jointly by the Military, and Civilians. 

However, in 2021, General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, who led the Council, disbanded it and consolidated power into his own hands despite having promised to oversee the transition to an elected civilian Government. 

Violence broke when the RSF, led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, began deploying troops all over Sudan, including in the capital Khartoum. They did this without the consent of the army. 

According to an earlier agreement, the Rapid Support Forces were supposed to be incorporated into the army. However, owing to disagreements on the process, the plan fell through. 

Now both sides are involved in violent clashes for power and influence, with each side wanting to control as much of the country’s resources as possible. 

With a recorded poor human rights record and lack of democracy, the entire country is held hostage to the ambitions of two men and their military outfits. 

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The United States brokers a fragile ceasefire 

Since violent exchanges began on April 15, 2023, nearly 500 people have died. Almost 4,000 others have been injured, according to recent figures from WHO. 

Lack of fuel, medication, and basic amenities has forced several hospitals and medical institutes to shut down. Thousands of people have fled the country as a result, resulting in a large-scale humanitarian crisis. 

Meanwhile, the United States has brokered a three-day ceasefire between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces. 

Several countries, including India, France, the United Kingdom, China, and South Korea have used the ceasefire to evacuate their citizens. The United States military also evacuated nearly 100 government personnel from the US embassy in Khartoum

The White House is also considering a plan to send US troops to Port Sudan to help with the evacuation. According to a recent report by CNN, the Pentagon has also deployed three US warships off the coast of Sudan. 

With the virus-infected samples now in the hands of the Sudanese fighters, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reasons to worry.