China Accused Of Not Sharing New Bird Flu Strain Samples

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Veterinary;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 02 Nov 2006 - 11:00 PDT

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The World Health Organization (WHO) says its efforts to track the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus strain have been seriously undermined by China's reluctance to share samples of a new strain. A new strain, called H5N1 Fujian-Like, has spread rapidly through southern China and neighboring countries, according to a US report. China rejects the report.

Julie Hall, WHO, Beijing, said "There's a stark contrast between what we're hearing from the researchers and what the ministry of agriculture says. Unless the ministry tell us what's going on and shares viruses on a regular basis, we will be doing diagnostics on strains that are old."

In fact, no bird flu samples have been sent from China's Ministry of Agriculture to the WHO since 2004, said Hall. She added that this lack of cooperation has seriously undermined WHO's ability to track and monitor the virus' mutations. In order to create effective vaccines, it is crucial that scientists everywhere know whether or not the virus is mutating, and if so, how it is mutating. Only by sharing do we have a chance of tackling it, said Hall.

After testing live geese and ducks in six southern Chinese provinces (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan and Hunan), scientists found that 3% of all geese and 3% of all ducks in markets were infected with the H5N1 bird flu virus strain. This does not correlate at all with official Chinese reports. According the Ministry of Agriculture, only three provinces had any outbreaks.

These six provinces are densely populated, making it much harder to control the spread.

Chinese authorities say there is no evidence a new H5N1 bird flu strain has surfaced in the southern provinces. They added that the sharing of virus samples with WHO is not necessary.

In 2003, China was criticized for covering up the SARS virus, which killed many people.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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