Global biolab boom outpaces safety oversight, experts warn

The death of a Russian woman from pneumonic plague near a Siberian research facility is unlikely to cause a global outbreak, but experts warn that a global boom in high-security biolabs is outpacing safety oversight, creating heightened risk of lab accidents. The facility is isolated, plague is less infectious than Covid-19, and it is treatable if caught early. However, since the pandemic, the number of Biosafety Level 4 labs—built for the deadliest pathogens—has increased from 59 in 2021 to 69 by 2023, with many located in city centers and in countries with limited experience in such work. There is no global authority inspecting these labs, and national regulations remain patchy, with only one of 27 countries having comprehensive laws on high-risk research. Experts call for stronger international oversight and safety protocols, warning that reduced US global health engagement has weakened pandemic preparedness.