Global Govs Need to Share Avian Flu Data

Via GlobalSecurity.org -

The World Health Organization has been working feverishly to get nations to prepare for a potential avian flu pandemic that could kill millions of people. Cooperation among nations to try to ward off this global danger is increasing.

But, a dispute over the sharing of bird flu virus samples threatens to prevent many of these advances. Indonesia is one of the worst affected countries. WHO spokesman Ian Simpson says there is great concern about that country's reluctance to share its data.

"It is extremely important that all governments share virus samples in order that it is possible for the world to really track the development of avian influenza and track the emergence of a pandemic influenza strain," said Ian Simpson. "So, this is a really important global public good and we hope that there will be agreement at this World Health Assembly to really stick to the global agreement that there is on sharing samples and that we can move on."

Seventy five people have died from the H5N1 bird flu virus in Indonesia. The international practice of openly sharing of virus samples from humans is seen as important for vaccine research.

The Indonesian government stopped sharing virus samples in December fearing pharmaceutical companies would develop vaccines that would be too costly for poor countries. In March, Indonesia agreed to share the samples with WHO. But, so far none have been sent.