Japan built a dangerous virus research laboratory

Japan appointed a new experimental facility of Nagasaki University will be a biosafety facility of level 4 (BSL-4), meaning that can be handled pathogens such as Ebola virus with high fatigue, Interesting Engineering On 10/2 reported.

Concerns about the appearance of newly increased infectious diseases each year when the global warming and the environmental recession continues. In the context of the increasing flow of people and goods, it is not surprising that there is a new infectious disease spread throughout the world in the future.

The dangerous virus research laboratory plays an important role in dealing with epidemics, helping to develop and preliminary testing of vaccines. In Covid-19 pandemic, Japan lacks infrastructure for scientific research and must depend on abroad.

Japan has a BSL-4 facility at the Murayama branch of the National Infectious Diseases (NiID) in Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo. But based on the requirements of the nearby residents, the relocation of this facility out of the city is being considered. The government hopes a potential location will be determined as soon as possible and maintain the two -facilities.

While NiID’s facility is limited to tasks such as testing and diagnosing new patients, Nagasaki University can conduct many studies, including vaccine development and treatments. This will significantly improve the ability to respond to Japanese infectious diseases.

Nagasaki University is also facing the opposition of nearby residents. On online forums, users even compare the construction of this facility and the danger when the incident occurs even worse than the release of an atomic bomb. However, the new establishment is committed to taking many measures to prevent infection, for example, the laboratory is completely separated from the outside air and the researchers will wear special protective clothing.

There are about 60 BSL-4 facilities in more than 20 countries around the world. Because there is no time to ask other countries to analyze pathogens in an emergency, developed countries maintain their own BSL-4 facilities. In many cases, they are also placed in universities and research institutes in urban areas.