US Blinks First in Bird Flu Standoff

U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services) says it 'regrets the recent delays in the transfer of avian influenza virus samples...' according to The Peoples Daily Online. Apparently China have offered birdflu virus samples to the CDC to help further research but their offer has been stonewalled by paperwork and bureaucracy.

Internet media sources had placed their wager on the cause of the standoff, now blamed on paperwork and procedures, on China, citing the SARS virus outbreak and other delays in receiving virus samples.

The CDC it is claimed though, goes on to say 'it appreciates the willingness of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture to share the virus samples'. This reads like some serious wordsmithing.

Even with this almost apology, it took Chinese news stories claiming American labs was the cause of the delay to force a response and action from the CDC.

So why then the delay, did the CDC really stonewall the importation of virus samples from China, if so why?.

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Biota - How to Lose Money on Bird Flu

Australia based Biota pulled revenues of $5.2m in royalties from the bird flu drug Relenza.

Unfortunately their battle with Glaxo Smith Kline has cost $8m over the last two years leaving meagre pickings for shareholders with yet another an annual net loss in excess of $10m.

Just how is it that in times of a pandemic of news and fear spreading, with governments speeding millions on vaccines for avian flu protection, can an organisation involved in bird flu vaccines be so successful at throwing away shareholder funds?

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