Plagues,
Pestilences and Diseases
WHO "deeply concerned" by mutant bird flu
AFP – Sun, 01 Jan, 2012
The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was "deeply concerned"
about research into whether the H5N1 flu virus could be made more
transmissible between humans after mutant strains were produced in
labs.
Two separate research teams -- one in the Netherlands and the
other in the United States -- have found ways to alter the H5N1
avian influenza so it could pass easily between mammals.
Two top scientific journals said on Tuesday they were mulling
whether to publish full details on how Dutch scientists mutated
the H5N1 flu virus in order for it to pass from one mammal to
another.
Scientists fear H5N1 will mutate into a form readily transmissible
between humans, with the potential to cause millions of deaths.
"The WHO takes note that studies undertaken by several
institutions on whether changes in the H5N1 influenza virus can
make it more transmissible between humans have raised concern
about the possible risks and misuses associated with this
research," the Geneva-based United Nations body said.
"WHO is also deeply concerned about the potential negative
consequences.
"However, WHO also notes that studies conducted under appropriate
conditions must continue to take place so that critical scientific
knowledge needed to reduce the risks posed by the H5N1 virus
continues to increase."
The WHO said research which could improve the understanding of
such viruses was a scientific and public health imperative.
"While it is clear that conducting research to gain such knowledge
must continue, it is also clear that certain research, and
especially that which can generate more dangerous forms of the
virus than those which already exist, has risks.
"Therefore such research should be done only after all important
public health risks and benefits have been identified and
reviewed, and it is certain that the necessary protections to
minimize the potential for negative consequences are in place."
The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has thus far proven fatal in 60
percent of human cases, although only 350 people have died from
the disease to date, largely because it cannot yet be transmitted
between humans. Indonesia has been the worst-hit country.
Most human cases have involved direct contact with infected birds.
China is considered one of the nations most at risk of bird flu
epidemics because it has the world's biggest poultry population
and many chickens in rural areas are kept close to humans.
A man has now died after testing positive for the H5N1 virus in
the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, state media said on
Saturday.