WHO warns lab seized in Sudan now at 'high risk of biological hazard'

The World Health Organization is warning about a "high risk of biological hazard" at a Sudan laboratory of which one of the warring factions in the country has taken control.

However, officials don't know exactly who's behind the occupation of the National Public Health Laboratory, in the northeast African country's capital of Khartoum, according to BBC News. 

The WHO, part of the United Nations, on Tuesday told the BBC that power cuts were making it impossible to properly manage material at the lab and that lab workers can no longer access the facility. 

The city has for weeks been ravaged by fighting between the country's army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces.

A broad range of biological and chemical materials that are stored in the lab, according to the WHO. The facility holds measles, cholera pathogens and other hazardous materials.

The power being cut in the lab is also reportedly putting depleting stocks of blood bags at risk of spoiling.

The U.S. embassy also is in Khartoum. U.S. special operations forces on Sunday executed a perilous evacuation of the embassy. The effort included about 100 troops and three MH-47 helicopters.