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 If the virus behind bird flu mutates so that it is contagious between humans, it can cause a pandemic.
Two unpublished studies on the virus behind avian flu has been the U.S. government to intervene. The reason is the risk of bioterrorism. The researchers are now taking time out for 60 days.
At least one variant of the deadly H5N1 virus behind avian flu infects
between ferrets. It has scientists studying the virus detection.
The result is all that leaked from the two studies would soon be published. But after the U.S. government intervened publishes scientific journals Science and Nature only the overall results of the research and omits all the details. The risk that the results would be used for bioterrorism was considered too large. Both the journals and the researchers followed the call. The researchers are now taking a 60 day break from their research. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization together with the U.S. authorities to try to elucidate disease mechanisms that have come to light. Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, led the study, submitted to Nature. We hope to have a sober discussion of the facts, and between researchers and experts on bioterrorism so that research can continue with minimal risks, he tells Nature. Bioterrorism is only a concern in research on H5N1 and other deadly viruses. Another is the fear of the virus to escape from the lab and cause a worldwide epidemic. The research carried out today in the lab with safety category 3 (BLS-3). Many researchers believe that it should be operated in the highest class of BSL-4. Michael Osterholm, director of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy in Minneapolis, reported in Nature that he likes to research the break needed to set a course forward. But he also thinks it is too short. It will not be enough to obtain an international policy and to implement it, he says. |
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