Armenian U.S. Embassy, Armenian Ministry of Health opening new center for disease control and prevention

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard M. Mills, Jr., and Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia Dr. Armen Muradyan recently attended the opening ceremony for the Ministry of Health’s new Tavush regional laboratory for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lance Brooks of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) was also in attendance for the opening ceremony.

The laboratory was developed as part of DTRA’s cooperative biological engagement program (CBEP) with the Republic of Armenia and aims to curb potential outbreaks of deadly pathogens that could threaten human life and livestock.

“The renovation of this laboratory is an important milestone for Armenia, as it marks the opening of the first in a series of regional and central laboratories that CBEP has been upgrading for the past few years” Mills said. “CBEP mentored and trained the staff and experts working in the Ijevan facility so they can effectively employ and use the critical skills and laboratory equipment necessary to operate and sustain the laboratory well into the future.”

In addition to the lab’s development, CBEP also provided resources, training and equipment to the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Emergency Situations.