Jakarta delays sharing of bird flu samples

The Straits Times, April 27, 2007

JAKARTA - INDONESIA has delayed the sharing of bird flu samples with the World Health Organisation despite an agreement reached last month.

'Last month's meeting resulted in a new mechanism and there are some administrative issues that need to be sorted out,' said Mr Triono Soendoro, the head of the Health Ministry's research and development.

One of the issues relates to the movement of samples, which requires approval from governments in countries where the virus originated as well as countries where WHO-affiliated laboratories are located, he said.

Indonesia, which with 74 deaths has the highest human death toll from bird flu, agreed at the meeting to resume sending virus samples to the WHO.

The meeting established a mechanism for developing countries to have fair access to bird flu vaccines and for the transparent use of the specimens, especially for commercial purposes.

Specimen-sharing will allow experts to study the make-up of the viruses and track the spread of any particular strain.

Jakarta stopped sending specimens to WHO laboratories in December, arguing that it was concerned the samples, which can be used to make vaccines, would be used commercially and only rich countries would benefit from any resultant vaccines.

But health experts argued that countries which restrict sample-sharing put their populations at risk because scientists will be unable to tell if a strain has mutated or built resistance to drugs.

Mr Soendoro also disclosed that Indonesia is in talks with vaccine companies, and a tentative deal has already been reached with US-based Baxter Healthcare Corp in which virus samples would be exchanged for expertise in vaccine production.

Bird flu has affected poultry across Asia and passed through Africa and Europe.

Experts fear it could mutate into a form that would pass easily between people, triggering a pandemic that could kill millions.

REUTERS, ASSOCIATED PRESS