Speaking of `Transparency’ ; Questions I’d Like Answered.
Over the past 3 years we’ve seen 200+ official victims of the H5N1 virus, with more than 120 deaths. The actual toll is likely much higher. Many of these victims have been treated in hospitals, yet we know very little about the course of their illness, the treatments they received, and the genetic sequences of the virus are for the most part being withheld. This is a scandal.
So, while I expect no answers, here are the questions I would ask.
- We need specific information about each patient. Age, gender, onset date of symptoms, treatment course (in detail), and outcome.
- We need medical histories of these patients. Privacy concerns? Assign patient numbers and report them that way. How many have compromised immune systems? HIV? How many are smokers? How many had other disease processes that could have affected the course and outcome of their illness?
- We need epidemiological information regarding any links between patients. Either social, environmental, or familiar.
- We need to know if HCW’s are receiving prophylactic Tamiflu when exposed to suspected Avian Flu patients. If, as has been recommended, this is being done, it diminishes the red herring of no infected HCW’s as a sign the virus has not mutated.
- All human H5N1 genetic sequences held by all countries and organizations must be released to the public Genbank immediately. Withholding this information is criminal.
The WHO, the CDC, and private labs and hospitals around the world have all of this information. It is likely that no one entity has it all. But the more we know, the better the odds are that we can find a way to combat this threat.
The WHO speaks of the need for rapid reporting and transparency.
They should lead by example.
