The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidance for national authorities and biomedical laboratories to better manage biological risks. This update is essential for enhancing the safety and security of laboratories, which play a critical role in health systems by providing patient diagnosis, rapid clinical care, disease surveillance, pathogen characterization, and research and development for treatments and vaccines.

The new guidance includes several key updates:

Strengthening Cybersecurity: Improved measures for handling confidential information, including patient records.

Reducing Risks from New Technologies: Addressing risks related to genetic modification, pathogen manipulation, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Safety During Emergencies: Advice on maintaining laboratory safety and security during wars, civil unrest, and natural disasters.

"Appropriately designed and equipped facilities, trained staff, evidence-based risk mitigating measures, transparent reporting, and layered oversight mechanisms will safeguard the workforce and the community from pathogenic microorganisms and toxins," stated WHO.

The guidance aims to assist all countries, particularly those lacking existing regulations, in establishing or enhancing frameworks for handling high-consequence pathogens. It emphasizes the importance of strong institutional governance through an Institutional Biosafety Committee with national oversight.

Developed in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, including WHO collaborating centers and the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Biosafety (TAG-B), the guidance provides best practices and recommendations. It encourages Member States to adopt a risk-based approach, as stipulated in the resolution on ‘Strengthening laboratory biological risk management’ adopted at the World Health Assembly this year.

By promoting engagement and commitment from institutions and national authorities, the updated guidance seeks to mitigate risks associated with high-consequence pathogens and research work. These measures aim to protect communities from the misuse and release of biological materials, whether intentional or inadvertent, while allowing legitimate biomedical research to continue.