Indonesia has announced that foreign researchers are welcome to access its data on avian flu cases, in an effort to help restrict a potential pandemic. Scientists previously were unhappy with Indonesia's lack of co-operation with regards to this deadly disease which has killed 43 lives in that country alone. Indonesia attempts to clarify its stance by welcoming international scientists and research, for the wellbeing of all humanity.
The Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari admitted in an interview with 'The Jakarta Post' that the country had earlier restricted access to the data and was conducting its research on its own end. However, he added that following a discussion with the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, the government decided to include other institutions, scientists and countries in this struggle.
The disease has shown no signs of retreat since its first discovery over three years ago. New suspected patients have been diagnosed in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia recently. The suspect cases in Indonesia include three young children – two sisters ages 10 and 6 years and one other 18 month old child, from Sumatra. Although initial tests have come out as negative, the children are showing symptoms of avian flu and hence doctors are conducting further, detailed tests. Added, chicken infected with avian flu were present in their vicinity, increasing their chances of contracting it by a large margin.
A greater fear is the possibility of a mutation by which the virus might be spread through human contact – resulting in an uncontrollable global epidemic.
There has been a decades long debate with respect to the control and ownership of material as regards to new viruses, diseases and treatments. While to be fair, the data should belong to that organization which sponsors the research, human interest requires that it be made available in the public sphere, unconditionally.
Indonesia's health minister has agreed to open access to the information as research might throw light on possible mutations, cures or prevention of the disease. However, she also specifies that future international correspondence for avian flu research must be regulated as per the 'Material Transfer Agreement' which is part of all scientific operations.
