The company that released contaminated flu virus material from a plant in Austria confirmed Friday that the experimental product contained live H5N1 avian flu viruses. And an official of the World Health Organization’s European operation said the body is closely monitoring the investigation into the events that took place at Baxter International’s research facility in Orth-Donau, Austria.
“At this juncture we are confident in saying that public health and occupational risk is minimal at present,” medical officer Roberta Andraghetti said from Copenhagen, Denmark. “But what remains unanswered are the circumstances surrounding the incident in the Baxter facility in Orth-Donau.” The contaminated product, a mix of H3N2 seasonal flu viruses and unlabelled H5N1 viruses, was supplied to an Austrian research company. The Austrian firm, Avir Green Hills Biotechnology, then sent portions of it to sub-contractors in the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Germany.
The contamination incident, which is being investigated by the four European countries, came to light when the subcontractor in the Czech Republic inoculated ferrets with the product and they died. Ferrets shouldn’t die from exposure to human H3N2 flu viruses. Public health authorities concerned about what has been described as a “serious error” on Baxter’s part have assumed the death of the ferrets meant the H5N1 virus in the product was live. But the company, Baxter International Inc., has been parsimonious about the amount of information it has released about the event.
On Friday, the company’s director of global bioscience communications confirmed what scientists have suspected.
“It was live,” Christopher Bona said in an email.
The contaminated product, which Baxter calls “experimental virus material,” was made at the Orth-Donau research facility. Baxter makes its flu vaccine – including a human H5N1 vaccine for which a licence is expected shortly – at a facility in the Czech Republic. People familiar with biosecurity rules are dismayed by evidence that human H3N2 and avian H5N1 viruses somehow co-mingled in the Orth-Donau facility. That is a dangerous practice that should not be allowed to happen, a number of experts insisted.
Why is it we have heard nothing about this in Amerika? Will this make you think twice about taking your flu shot?
I’ve never had a flu shot…just never believed in them. I think it’s due to my distrust of all-things government. I just don’t trust in the competence of gov’t employees.
Not good.
That it was caught was due only to the Quality Control of the sub-contractor. So why did the QC of the supplier or Baxter not catch it?
That, combined with the recent post about the company that sold contaminated syringes, makes one very nervous.
http://tinyurl.com/b36ya3
#1 TreeBeard
I agree with you, I don’t get them and I don’t want them.
So lets get this straight:
There have been less than 100 deaths from Avian flu – in the entire world.
So the company which happens to be making a vaccine for Avian flu has accidentally released a “live” version of the Avian flu, included as part of a normal flu vaccine.
Sounds like someone is trying to create demand for their product.
Imagine the conversation with your doctor:
Dr: you need a flu shot to avoid getting the Avian flu.
Me: but there have only been a few cases on Avian flu in the world – and most were in China.
Dr: don’t worry, after I’ve injected you, you’ll have Avian flu, then you’ll definitely need the vaccine.
I agree with #1 and #5. never had a flu shot, and I’ve had the flu once in the last 30 years. However, my parents and sisters get them every year and it seems they always get the flu… you know… the strain that wasn’t covered….
It reminds me of the kind of excuses religion uses to cover their god’s shortcomings.
In clinical trials jargon, it’s called a control population. You can’t decide efficacy rates unless you have an infectious outbreak and mortality data.
The city Public Health office is reporting that the flu season is just getting into full swing here in Pittsburgh
They are advising people that it is not too late to get a flu shot.
Sounds like a “Twelve Monkeys ” -sequel.
Not good đ
#11. It is very strange that no one seems too concerned about this….oh that’s right, Brittney Spears is on tour. My bad.
Major American Media under orders not to ‘cover’ it.
I stopped accepting vaccinnes.
I don’t allow my wife or kids to take that trash either.
Neither should you.
BTW… if a vaccine manufactur “accidently” poisons you Congress made sure you can’t sue them.
Nice.
Yawn,,, wake me up when at least 3million dead. I really don’t see what all the fuss is about.
Just take a vaccine and you should be fine.
To all the folks posting here that they don’t take vaccines: if you insist — after you’re all gone, more left for me…
Just don’t cough in my direction.
#16–Patso==some monkeys are so stupid they don’t trust/understand the very science that allows so many to overpopulate/pollute the planet.
Funny monkeys. (Click on Patso name for an excellent video on we monkeys.)
I’m a scientist, and I’ve read the research; for instance, did you know that the flu shot, on average, provides no benefit? None. You see, the predictions of which strains will be prevalent are wrong half the time, so how could there be much benefit? I’ve taken a vaccine for MMR and even Hepatitis, but those vaccines, you know, work. Not to mention the purely anecdotal fact that the only flu I’ve had in the past decade occurred on the only year I succumbed to peer pressure and got a flu shot. . .
#18–Li==a scientist? Great, we need you. I’m not a scientist but I want to act rationally.
I don’t like shots because I think I am invulnerable and don’t like to admit I am only mortal. As a result, all my emotions say not to get a flu shot but “science” says I should. My resolution would be therefore to submit to flu shots as a measure of faith. Yes, faith in science.
Now you come along as a priest in these objective activities and say flu shots don’t work==or they don’t work half the time, which is confusing.
Isn’t something working half the time better than nothing working all the time? Or do you mean even on the half time they “work” they don’t really work by way of some scientific reasoning reductio absurdum?
Are vaccines in general just a fraud, or only flu vaccines? Or only vaccines developed in the past 20 years, or just what is going on that vaccine development has gone off track?
Can you explain your devilish confusing post so we laymen can understand?
Boy Bobbo, you’re sure quick on the gun this morning.
Here is the reference, since the Google is apparently a bit challenging for you;
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Among Children 6 to 59 Months of Age During 2 Influenza Seasons. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162(10):943-951.
And here is a link where they explain the paper in small words.
http://tinyurl.com/bwnqnf
Basic results; in children, no measurable enhancement in resistance to the flu is produced by the flu shot. The authors suggest that this is due to the fact that ~half of the influenza on the loose on any given year is not covered. Other research has suggested that the shot itself results in a brief period of compromised immune function, which may explain why so many people get the flu after they get a flu shot; their guard is down.
Now, there is some promising work being done with nasal Flu vaccines; they might prove more effective. But between this recent study, and some older ones I’m too lazy to look up that showed similar results for adult populations, I’ve reached the conclusion that the flu shot is nothing more than an invasive and ineffective profit center. Another point; a vaccine for a virus that doesn’t change much, like Hep B or Whooping Cough, is effective. Because it doesn’t change much, and there aren’t hundreds of different strains going around. For a constantly changing virus’ like the flu, however, unless they can find a common protein that doesn’t change, it’s probably a waste of effort. And all of that is putting all incompetence/malevolence aside. . . .
#20–Li==thank you. And for your thoughtful followup. I see my own logic error. If 50% of flu strains aren’t affected by the vaccine, then indeed “the” vaccine won’t be effective because we get exposed to more than just one strain of flu each season.
See–your input was not wasted. I can also see “the establishment” coasting on old models of intervention that used to work until they hit the new monster. Thats psychology–as you (should) say, not malevolence==but I worship science so much, I gotta think there is some incompetence there if the referenced study is correct?
After all, on average, aren’t we all average?
LOL Indeed. And that was a thoughtful response Bobbo, forgive my snark in post #20.
#22–Li==snarky? I missed it. Even missed it on rereading. When you contest the dismal science with the likes of Paddy-Zero, Contempt for all that is not Slime, and other LIEBERTARIANS, I guess the blinders come up.
Makes me wonder then if vaccines cause autism? That has also been hotly denied by the science establishment.
How do you know what you know, and how do you change your mind? How do you act rationally in a world of dispute?
#20, Li,
Flu vaccines are mostly a guess, yes. BUT, they do have a fairly good hit rate and are still highly recommended. Especially for adults.
For most people, if they don’t offer immunity, they will lessen the severity of any infection.