Most Benin labs flagged as high biosafety risk in new assessment

A review of 96 public and private biomedical and veterinary laboratories in Benin found widespread gaps in biosafety and biosecurity, with 80% of biomedical labs and all veterinary labs classified as high risk or worse. The findings underscore urgent needs for stronger regulation, better infrastructure and more staff training to reduce risks to workers, communities and the environment. Why it matters: - Diagnostic laboratories are central to disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness. - Weak biosafety and biosecurity practices can expose laboratory staff, nearby communities and the environment to harmful pathogens. - Benin’s poor score on the 2021 Global Health Security Index, 25.4%, highlights why laboratory safety gaps matter for national preparedness. What happened: - Researchers assessed biosafety and biosecurity practices in 96 public and private laboratories across Benin in November 2023. - The sample included 93 biomedical laboratories and three veterinary laboratories. - The study used a cross-sectional design. - Biomedical laboratories were evaluated with the Biosafety and Biosecurity in Laboratory Tool. - Veterinary laboratories were assessed with the Laboratory Mapping Tool. - Researchers collected data with KoBoCollect and analyzed the results in R. - The findings are published in the Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity. - The article is identified by DOI 10.1016/j.jobb.2024.11.001 . The details: - 42% of laboratories were classified as very high risk. - 38% were classified as high risk. - 15% were classified as moderate risk. - Only 5% were classified as low risk. - 80% of biomedical laboratories were categorized as high-risk sites. - All three veterinary laboratories were categorized as high risk. - Two biomedical assessment modules met international standards: premise layout and disinfection and waste disposal. - Severe deficiencies were found in staff training, standard experimental practices, emergency preparedness and biosecurity management. - Most laboratories lacked dedicated biosafety officers and standardized operating manuals. - Many laboratories also lacked biosafety cabinets, emergency eyewash stations and designated handwashing sinks. - Gaps were identified in pathogen registration, access control and digital data protection. - The veterinary laboratories passed only basic access restriction checks. - The veterinary sites still had uninspected key equipment, insufficient emergency supplies and improper waste disposal. - The study was funded by the Elizabeth R. Griffin Program through the U.S. Department of State’s Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund, grant SISNDF22GR0010. - The funders had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, publication decisions or manuscript preparation. Between the lines: - The results point to a broader systems problem, not just isolated lab failures. - Outdated infrastructure, incomplete regulations, chronic underfunding and limited training appear to be driving the risk profile. - The concentration of unsafe conditions in both biomedical and veterinary labs suggests Benin’s biosafety challenges cut across the health system. What’s next: - The researchers called for localized biosafety codes and regular tiered training for laboratory workers. - The study also urges more government funding to renovate lab infrastructure, add safety equipment and hire full-time biosafety specialists. - International exchanges could help introduce stronger biosafety governance practices. - The publication may add pressure for policy changes in Benin and similar settings with limited biosafety oversight. The bottom line: - Most assessed laboratories in Benin fell into high-risk biosafety categories, and the study says closing those gaps will require money, rules and trained people, not just isolated fixes.