Japan to import lethal viruses to prepare for the Olympics

Scientists will study pathogens in Musashimurayama, a city west of the capital. The local mayor of approved testing despite residents' objections. Haemorrhagic fevers can only be transmitted through contact between human beings.

Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Japan is importing Ebola and other deadly viruses in order to develop diagnostic procedures to better protect its citizens ahead of upcoming international sporting events, such as this year's Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Scientists will study the pathogens in a city west of Tokyo, the capital, after the local mayor approved testing over residents' objections.

Musashimurayama Mayor Masaru Fujino held talks yesterday with Takumi Nemoto, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. The two agreed that the country should know more about the viruses that cause Ebola, Lassa, Marburg, Crimea-Congo and South American haemorrhagic fevers.

Run by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), the local laboratory is the only Japanese facility classified biosafety level four (BSL4).

“We have come to a good level of understanding on the matter,” Nemoto told reporters after the meeting. “It is a major stride towards protection.”

The government plans to bring in the rare viruses in a month or two. The Ministry has pledged to tell the local government of any accidents at the Musashimurayama facility and eventually consider relocating.

Residents of west Tokyo expressed their opposition to the proposal during public meetings organised by the Ministry, the most recent of which was held in May.

The laboratory was built in 1981 and residents have long been concerned about exposure to a virus via air vents, a test animal escaping or the structure collapsing due to an earthquake.

However, scientists and Ministry experts have stressed that haemorrhagic fevers can only be transmitted through human-to-human contact so airborne exposure poses no risk.

• japan
• tokyo
• musashimurayama
• viruses
• haemorrhagic fevers
• olympics
• rugby world cup