VOICED: Recomiendan revelar datos sobre gripe avia

A non-governmental panel of scientific and security experts in the U.S. has approved the full publication of two studies on mutant avian flu, reversing a previous decision to withhold key details. The studies demonstrate how a lab-generated H5N1 virus can be airborne among neurons. Initially, experts feared the information could lead to a deadly flu pandemic if misused. However, new evidence suggests understanding specific mutations can enhance global surveillance, public health, and safety. The avian flu is highly lethal, killing over half of those infected, and has caused several deaths this year in China, Cambodia, and Indonesia. Since 2003, there have been 573 human cases of H5N1 across 15 countries, with a fatality rate of 58.6%, according to the WHO.

What was the initial decision regarding the publication of the avian flu studies?

• To withhold key details

• To publish them immediately

• To publish only in scientific journals

• To share with the public

Why did U.S. experts initially oppose the publication of the avian flu studies?

• They feared the information could lead to a pandemic

• They thought the studies were irrelevant

• They wanted to conduct more experiments

• They believed the studies were incomplete

What new evidence changed the experts' stance on publishing the studies?

• Evidence that the virus cannot spread

• Evidence that understanding mutations can improve safety

• Evidence that the studies were flawed

• Evidence that the virus is harmless

How lethal is the avian flu compared to typical seasonal flu strains?

• Less lethal

• Equally lethal

• More lethal

• Not lethal at all

Since 2003, how many human cases of H5N1 avian flu have been reported?

• 573 cases

• 50 cases

• 1000 cases

• 200 cases