Fire Leads To An Explosion Of Laboratory That Had Live Smallpox Cells

25-Sep-2019 | Facts and Factors

The State Centre for Research on Virology and Biotechnology in Russia saw an explosion which consequently led to fire. This is a facility which is located near Novosibirsk in Siberia which holds live smallpox samples. The officials have said that there isn’t any risk of contamination. These centers also known as Vector along with a center in United States are the only two labs which have been known to keep live smallpox samples. Mayor says no chance of any kind of contamination.

The WHO has certified the that smallpox had been eradicated in the year 1980 with a global effort at immunization, however there are concerns still that the virus which is extremely deadly may be used in chemical warfare as a deadly bioweapon.

Vector, in the statement it gave said that there was no material which can cause a biohazard was being kept in the room where the explosion had taken place. The mayor of the city also insisted that the incident posed no risk of any kind of biological harm to the local people.

Experts say that the rules with regard to the storing of viruses are extremely strict and the diseases which are highly dangerous like Ebola as well as smallpox have to be stored in the Level 4 laboratory which is the highest laboratory. 

There is very limited access to these samples and the mechanism of storing these samples are different from usual laboratories as specialized containers are used for it.

They also say that although the fire through its heat would have destroyed the viruses, there may be risks that the virus may spread in the room or in the immediate area which may be contaminated as a result of the explosion.