China Withholding Disease Samples

I heard an interesting story on Fox News yesterday that I thought needed some verification.  The story said China does not send strains of disease causing bacteria and viruses to the World Health Organization, or anybody else for that matter.  They keep these to themselves.  If they are looking to develop vaccines or work on prevention, one would think they could use the rest of the world’s help.  This includes such really nasty diseases as SARS and H7N9.  The mortality rates among victims (over 64 years of age) is 50%.

The New York Times notes these disease samples were “withheld from the United States” but it appears theses have been withheld from many countries.  They are trying to link this to current trade problems with China when there is not a relationship between the two and it has been going on a lot longer than the trade disputes.  SARS has been around for years.

I can see two reasons for doing what they are doing.  First, they are so focused on dominating  markets that they let people die until they develop a vaccine that works.  That assures the market will buy from them.  Yes, that is an ugly thought, but a logical idea that China is not above.

Second, to prevent the use of any virulent strains as an offensive weapon, intentionally spread by enemies.  Having worked with the CDC and WHO on different things in the past, they don’t even think like that.  They just want to stop disease wherever that is possible.  They don’t really care who comes up with the cure.  Cures eliminate strains being used as weapons and makes perfect sense if they intend to not use them themselves.  The alternative is not a very pleasant thought.