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Stop bickering and start analysing: WHO
The World Health Organisation has urged Chinese and
foreign scientists to stop bickering about bird flu and start sharing
information to ensure that any and all strains of bird flu are combated most
effectively.
Henk Bekedam, the
WHO's
representative for China, says that scientists - instead of battling issues out
in the media - should sit down and analyse the details of
bird
flu studies to work out how they can be applied in a useful way.
“This is an ideal opportunity to get a better idea what is happening in
China and assess strategies that have been effective and develop even more
targeted strategies if there is a need," he said.
The Chinese scientists' strongly worded rebuttals, claiming there was "no
scientific basis" for the views and conclusions in the paper, circulated in the
media shortly afterwards.
They accused the foreign researchers of "unscientific methods" and said
China's vaccination programme was effective.
But they gave no details or data, something that Bekedam says is seriously
lacking.
"Right or wrong, this goes to a level of details that you have to talk to
scientists, people who look at gene sequencing and give us clues as to what is
happening," he said.
Editor WorldPoultry
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