Indonesia says sharing of bird flu samples delayed

JAKARTA, Apr 26 (Reuters) Indonesia has delayed sharing of bird flu samples with the World Health Organisation despite an agreement last month because details are still being worked out, a health official said today.

Indonesia, which has the highest human death toll from bird flu, agreed at an international meeting last month to resume sending virus samples to the WHO.

The meeting also established a mechanism for developing countries to have fair access to bird flu vaccines and for transparent use of the specimens, especially for commercial purposes.

''Last month's meeting resulted in a new mechanism and there are some administrative issues that need to be sorted out,'' Triono Soendoro, the head of the health ministry's research and development, told Reuters.

One of the issues related to movement of samples, with approvals required from governments where the virus originated as well as countries where WHO-affiliated laboratories were located, he said.

Specimen-sharing will allow experts to study the make-up of the viruses and track the spread of any particular strain.

Jakarta stopped sending specimens to WHO laboratories in December, arguing that it was concerned the samples, which can be used to make vaccines, would be used commercially and only rich countries would benefit from any resultant vaccines.

Health experts say countries who restrict sample-sharing put their populations at risk because scientists will be unable to tell if a strain has mutated or built resistance to drugs.

Bird flu has affected poultry across Asia and passed through Africa and Europe. Experts fear it could mutate into a form that would pass easily between people, triggering a pandemic that could kill millions.

The bird flu virus has killed 74 people in Indonesia, making it the worst-hit country.

REUTERS JS RK1508