China launches high-level biosafety lab

China on Tuesday put into operation a high-level biosafety lab in Harbin, capital of the northeastern Heilongjiang Province.

China's first biosafety level-4 lab (BSL-4) for large animals became operational after being accredited by the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment.

BSL-4 is the the highest biosafety level.

The national animal disease control lab could boost the country's research on and prevention and control of highly infectious diseases, according to the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the lab's operator.

The lab can conduct animal testing on pathogens of all known major infectious diseases, the institute said.

The lab will also work with other research institutes on joint research of prevention and control of highly infectious diseases in a bid to safeguard the livestock industry and public health, it said.