The World Health Organization (WHO) said it advised Ukraine to destroy pathogens in the country’s public health laboratories, according to a report.

The United Nations agency told Reuters that it has been collaborating with Ukrainian public health laboratories for several years to ensure lab safety practices to prevent “accidental or deliberate release of pathogens.”

“As part of this work, WHO has strongly recommended to the Ministry of Health in Ukraine and other responsible bodies to destroy high-threat pathogens to prevent any potential spills,” the WHO told the news agency.