. | . |
WHO announces deal on sharing flu virus samples Geneva (AFP) April 16, 2011 The World Health Organisation said Saturday an agreement has been reached on sharing flu virus samples, hammered out after intense negotiations by a group on preparations for flu pandemics. The deal came four years after a working group comprised of representatives of member states was formed. It met this past week in Geneva with the goal of reaching a final accord. "They reached an accord this morning (Saturday) after a night of intense discussions," WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told AFP. The deal not only involves sharing flu virus samples but also sharing the benefits which come from using certain samples, Chaib said. The negotiations began in November 2007 after the appearance of the bird flu virus which triggered worldwide fear. The accord will be presented to the next WHO general assembly in May. The head of working group, Mexico's ambassador Juan Jose Gomez Camacho said earlier this week that despite the experience of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009, the world was still not properly armed against flu crises. "The world is not prepared, it is not ready to face pandemics in an effective way," said Camacho. He stressed that it was necessary to increase production capacity for vaccines and the means to distribute them, especially in the developing world, and to ensure that the vaccines are affordable.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Epidemics on Earth - Bird Flu, HIV/AIDS, Ebola
Bacteria In Wasp Antennae Produce Antibiotic Cocktails London UK (SPX) Apr 14, 2011 Bacteria that grow in the antennae of wasps help ward off fungal threats by secreting a 'cocktail' of antibiotics explains a scientist at the Society for General Microbiology's Spring Conference in Harrogate. Dr Martin Kaltenpoth describes how this is the first known example of non-human animals using a combination prophylaxis strategy similar to the one used in human medicine. This discov ... read more |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |