Publication Delay Blamed for Bird Flu Fears

Publication Delay Blamed for Bird Flu Fears

www.medpagetoday.com

Controversial bird flu research has been widely misinterpreted, mainly because the two studies involved have not been published, one of the principal investigators said.

There are "too many misperceptions about this work simply because it cannot be evaluated," according to Ron Fouchier, PhD, of Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Among other things, the mutated H5N1 influenza virus under study is nowhere near as dangerous as some reports have suggested, Fouchier said...

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Related News Links:
www.washingtonpost.com
www.cidrap.umn.edu

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Bird Flu Research Rattles Bioterrorism Field
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A while ago, two researchers who were NOT affiliated with Big Pharma did some research on H5N1 bird flu - a strain with pandemic potential. Bird flu doesn't often infect humans, but when it does it tends to be deadly. Various strains are endemic in Asia and Egypt - Indonesia especially has a huge bird flu problem, and so does Vietnam. The virus came back this year with a bit of a vengeance.

The two flu researchers, Fouchier from the Netherlands and Kawaoka from Wisconsin made the mistake of wanting to publish their findings and make their results 'Open Access.'

Big Pharma and the biosecurity industry jumped all over it - they manipulated public perceptions, created huge and completely inappropriate panic and tried to convince the world that the research would result in a Contagion scenario. And people bought into the panic, hook line and sinker.

Now, the tide is turning and the truth is coming out.

US seeks new review of easier-to-spread bird flu; scientist says work isn’t as risky as feared

A scientist who created an easier-to-spread version of the bird flu said his work isn’t as risky as people fear. The U.S. government is asking its biosecurity advisers to reconsider if the research should be made public.

...contrary to public perceptions, the airborne bird flu didn’t kill the ferrets, Dr. Ron Fouchier of the Netherlands’ Erasmus University told a meeting of U.S. scientists Wednesday. In fact, he said those previously exposed to regular flu were protected from severe disease.

Fouchier said publishing the research would help other scientists monitor the so-called H5N1 bird flu for similar mutations in the wild, and to test vaccines and treatments.

With new data, NSABB may revisit H5N1 studies

Feb 29, 2012 (CIDRAP News) – The mutant H5N1 virus generated in one of two controversial studies was less lethal and contagious than has been generally understood, and the US government's biosecurity advisory committee will be asked to examine new and clarified data from the study, scientists and government officials revealed today.

Ron Fouchier, PhD, lead author of one of the studies, said the mutant H5N1 virus generated in his experiment was not highly lethal when it spread among ferrets via coughing and sneezing, though it was lethal when intentionally introduced into the ferrets' lungs in high doses. He spoke at a panel discussion hosted by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and streamed over the Web.

www.medpagetoday.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

I don't get those idiots. If they don't want Pandemics of these Flu bugs then why in the hell do they screw with it in the first place? Why make it easier to spread to humans then get worried and start flapping their gums about it?

Sounds to me like this was done on purpose to create a Pandemic to reduce the population. Then what they are doing is downplaying the danger of it thus alleviating any fear from the public. Then when it does hit the death tolls could be hidden to the population.

They are playing with fire and our lives and they don't give a damn!!

reply to post by stevcolx

I don't get those idiots.

You're blaming the wrong idiots - and letting Big Pharma, the security industry and corporate interests manipulate your perceptions. ...Try reading some of the material for a more accurate take on the real situation.

If they don't want Pandemics of these Flu bugs then why in the hell do they screw with it in the first place? Why make it easier to spread to humans then get worried and start flapping their gums about it?

Erm... H5N1 destroyed the poultry industry in Asia - and it's killing people all over Egypt, Vietnam and Indonesia - and has been for years.

The whole point of this research is to get on top of a situation that virtually promises to spin out of control - and already is, in some parts of the world.

Sounds to me like this was done on purpose to create a Pandemic to reduce the population.

Really? Do you have any idea of what was actually done? Or are you just regurgitating the sound bites like a good little sheeple, helping protect industry and the corporate right-to-profit from human suffering and death?

They are playing with fire and our lives and they don't give a damn!!

The thing that makes these two researchers different is that they DO give a damn - unlike the the guys you're supporting with your rhetoric.