Geneva, 17 feb ( EFE).- Experts worldwide on the influenza virus agreed today defend a deferment of publication of two recent studies on variants of H5N1 (or avian flu virus) will spread among mammals, to be able to better gauge the impact of dissemination of the findings.
Summoned urgently by the World Health Organization (who), 22 scientists and experts in bioethics were consulted on whether or not to give the details of laboratory tests that have obtained mutation of H5N1 that contagiarÃan more easily between people.
After two days of meeting, its main conclusion was that it is important to proceed with investigations and be transparent with their results, but that we need more time to gather information and opinions of other experts before deciding if it is safe for the public to know details.
Initially settled a moratorium for the publication of studies until March 20, and the consensus reached today was in the direction of extending for a period of indefinite.
Who convened this meeting following the discovery by scientists of universities Erasmus of Rotterdam (the Netherlands) and Wisconsin (USA) of five genetic mutations of the H5N1 virus that can spread between mammals and, therefore, between human.
One of the main objectives of these studies was to obtain the information necessary to prevent a possible pandemic caused by this variant and create a vaccine to protect new strains.
The results were ready for publication by the journal “Nature” and “Science” in December, but U.S. authorities stopped publication for fear that the details of the discovery are used to develop a biological weapon terrorist purposes, by States or armed organizations.
Normally, the H5N1 virus is transmitted between poultry and its transmission to humans occurs rarely, so the transmission between people could be highly lethal, according to experts.
According to the who, the influenza viruses avian rarely infects people, and when you do has a mortality rate of 60%.
“Given the high rate of mortality associated with this virus, all participants at the meeting underlined the concern generated by this flu virus in the scientific community and the need to understand it better with additional studies”, stated Dr. Keiyi Fukuda, director deputy general of the who.
Fukuda explained that the group came to the conclusion of delay the publication full of trials “would have one health benefit greater than a partial publication in rush”.
Gregory Hartl, who spokesperson reported that the experts, in this case unanimously, also agreed on the need that scientists embarked on this path of study to postpone its work to “determine new security parameters”.
Dutch virologist Ron Fouchier, who led the investigation of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, said that he hoped that “in a couple of weeks already known what they think the American and Dutch authorities on Biosafety levels”, crucial information at this time “to follow or not forward”.
