#Putin Led #Russia Alleges US Labs In Nigeria Responsible For #Monkeypox Outbreak—–Russia has claimed that the United States has biolaboratories in Nigerian cities that are responsible for the spread of monkeypox.
Igor Kirillov, chief of the Russian Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops, said on Friday, May 27 that the outbreak was caused by US-deployed biological infrastructure in Nigeria, citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report.
“According to available information, at least four US-controlled biolaboratories operate in Nigeria,” Kirillov told Sputnik, adding that US biolabs could be found in Abuja, Zaria, and Lagos.
Kirilov has called on the WHO to investigate the US’s potential role in the spread of monkeypox, citing a “strange coincidence” that necessitates further investigation by professionals.
“Materials from the 2021 Munich Security Conference (that is, during the COVID-19 pandemic) stated practice of monkeypox combating scenario,” the commander noted, citing European and US media.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told RT Arabic on Thursday that Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Central Asian countries have US-funded biolabs, and that Moscow is discussing the issue with its neighbors bilaterally and through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) for biological safety implementation.
“We have either negotiated or are preparing to conclude memorandums of cooperation on biological safety with virtually all CSTO and other CIS nations, demanding mutual disclosures on how biological programs are progressing in each of our countries,” Lavrov continued.
“These memorandums envision mutual inspections and assessments of the laboratories’ work,” he stated, emphasizing the significance of transparency to ensure that these initiatives do not have a military character.”
Monkeypox is significantly less dangerous, with a death rate of only 3-6 percent. Within three to four weeks, the majority of people are back to normal.
Sylvie Briand, WHO’s head of Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, warned the UN agency’s annual assembly that monkeypox could be readily contained if the world moved swiftly.
Early detection and isolation of cases, as well as contact tracking, were among the necessary steps, she stressed.
Approximately 300 cases have been discovered so far in approximately 20 countries.