The killer “Asian” flu virus, sent to laboratories around the world as part of routine test kits, could trigger a pandemic if it escapes, but the chances of that are low, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.Senior WHO scientist Dr. Klaus Stohr said the virus, which killed between 1 million and 4 million people in 1957, had gone to about 3,700 laboratories, nearly all in the United States.
“The virus could cause a global (flu) outbreak. It was an unwise decision to send it out,” said Stohr, who heads the United Nations health agency’s influenza program.
But the laboratories, which are sent viruses to test their ability to detect strains, are experienced in handling such material and most had already been alerted to the danger, so there was little chance of anyone catching it, he added.
“It is a risk, but it is considered low. It should not lead to a big scare,” Stohr told Reuters.
The U.S. firm that sent out the virus, the College of American Pathologists (CAP), has issued instructions for all samples to be destroyed and would report to the WHO and U.S. health authorities by Friday on the response, he said.
“By Friday we may be through with this,” Stohr said.