2012-02-19

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) is Underestimated

In July 2011, there was an independent journalist (Li, Hui Ren 李惠仁) in Taiwan releasing a documentary which showed the public an investigation of the bird flu crisis since 2004. He also accused Ministry of Agriculture intended to alter the result and report back to OIE with only low pathogenic bird flu. This shocking news (scandal to be fair) somehow failed to appear on the mainstream medium continuously and the heat to Ministry of Agriculture only survived for two days. Of course, no one wants to be held accountable for having 35 billions (NTD) poultry industry smashed, not the government, not the scholars specialized in Avian Influenza, neither those mainstream medium.

Ministry of Agriculture was furious with this severe accusation and said they will file a lawsuit against Li. Mr. Li eagerly welcomes to this approach, which will allow him to put all the evidences on the spotlight. So far, Ministry of Agriculture hasn't taken any action yet to response to his accusation. From Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, the chef, Hsu, Tien-Lai (許天來)insists there is only low pathogenic bird flu found in Taiwan, but gives no significant evidences to support his statement.

This is one case in Taiwan, how many countries will understate the infection to protect its poultry industry?! The unspoken fact in this industry is to avoid the chicks from dying, almost every chicken farms are buying illegal vaccines to constrain the mortality rate. Wouldn't that affect the outcome of its observation report in each country. And how many specialist like Hsu, Tien-Lai will twist OIE standards to fit his own agenda.

There is a leak here is Taiwan, and I believe in many other countries, too. Some people had already done a lot to prove it, and I wonder what can I do?! And if the government is behind this, who can protect the journalist and those students and professors who help his investigation?