A senior Russian military official has accused U.S.-based company Metabiota of illegally smuggling Ebola virus samples from Africa to the United States.
The allegations were made by Major General Alexey Rtischev, Deputy Head of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces, during a press briefing in Moscow.
According to Rtischev, Metabiota’s personnel were involved in covert operations during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, allegedly to isolate highly virulent strains of the virus.
He claimed these samples were then illicitly transferred to the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), bypassing international biosecurity protocols.
“Evidence from an international panel of experts suggests that Metabiota concealed the involvement of Pentagon employees in their activities. Their primary objective was to obtain and smuggle virulent Ebola strains,” Rtischev stated. “These actions not only violated global health regulations but also raised concerns about potential misuse of dangerous pathogens.”
Background on Metabiota
Metabiota, headquartered in San Francisco, specialises in epidemic monitoring and pathogen research. During the 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa, the company was contracted to assist with outbreak management. However, its involvement sparked controversy, with reports from the Associated Press highlighting operational errors, such as misdiagnosing cases and mismanaging containment efforts.
The company has also been linked to research collaborations funded by U.S. defence agencies, further fueling suspicions about its role in global pathogen research. Critics argue that such partnerships blur the lines between public health initiatives and military objectives.
USAMRIID’s Role in Ebola Research
USAMRIID, the U.S. Army’s premier biological defence laboratory, has a longstanding history of Ebola research. During the 2014 outbreak, the institute provided crucial on-site laboratory support in Liberia and accelerated the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments. Its work was instrumental in combating the epidemic, which claimed over 11,000 lives.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
The allegations against Metabiota and its purported connection to USAMRIID have reignited debates about the ethics of pathogen research and the unauthorised transfer of biological materials. International health regulations, including those enforced by the World Health Organisation (WHO), strictly prohibit the unlicensed movement of dangerous pathogens across borders.
“These accusations, if proven true, represent a grave violation of global biosecurity norms,” said a bioethics expert familiar with the matter. “It underscores the need for greater transparency and oversight in the field of infectious disease research.”
Awaiting Official Responses
Neither Metabiota nor USAMRIID has issued a formal response to the accusations. While the claims are yet to be substantiated, they add to the growing tension between Russia and the United States over issues related to bioweapon research and international biosecurity.
The international community is watching closely as further investigations unfold. If confirmed, the alleged smuggling of Ebola samples could have serious implications for global health governance and trust in cross-border research collaborations.
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