WHO backlog hampers swine flu battle

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http://money.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=839826

WHO backlog hampers swine flu battle

By Jack in London, Financial Times, 21 Jul 2009

The World Health Organisation is struggling to process a wave of information

about the global swine flu pandemic that has infected millions and caused more

than 740 deaths, hampering the ability of public health officials around the

world to tackle the infection.

The delays are particularly affecting poorer countries, for whom the WHO is the

main source of swift and reliable information.

Few public health specialists were willing to be openly critical of the agency,

but one based in Asia said: " It just seems crazy. The WHO has huge amounts of

data but presents almost nothing, even graphically, such as [infection] by

country for age, sex etc. Looking at their data, it's impossible to know what's

going on. "

A US expert said: " More clinical guidance would seem valuable, especially

quantitative info on risk groups so that intensive efforts can be directed at

them, and also so that international comparisons can be made to understand

possible changes in the virus and/or local variation in conditions. "

The delay in processing hundreds of documents highlights the severe pressure on

the agency as it struggles to co-ordinate a response to the pandemic.

Keiji Fukuda, the assistant director general responsible for pandemic issues, is

receiving a growing number of reports that he wishes to approve personally

before any can be released onto the agency's website or to its partners.

Many of the documents have been submitted by departments within the WHO itself

that are not directly engaged in tackling the flu pandemic but which are keen to

be involved in the work as it is a way to gain funding at a time of budget cuts.

The delays are a particular concern for poorer countries with limited resources

to analyse and tackle the infection and which do not directly participate in the

WHO's frequent conference calls with flu specialists. Summaries of these

discussions are often only circulated days later.

The backlog is also contributing to concerns that while the agency is good at

convening expert meetings and collecting information on flu, it is less

efficient at rapidly sharing data with those trying to cope.

A WHO spokesman said: " There is more information available out there than for

any other major disease outbreak of this magnitude. Given our mandate, resources

and role, we have to be very clear what we prioritise and how we disseminate

information to ensure it is accurate. "

But critics believe the WHO should be acting as an authoritative clearinghouse,

collating and interpreting the most reliable information from different sources,

and providing a way to verify data and forecasts as well as statements from

politicians in individual countries which are sometimes viewed with suspicion.

The WHO has not since June released a detailed clinical update highlighting the

age, sex, underlying health conditions and responsiveness to treatment of

patients, providing essential information for health services on how best to

react and allocate scarce resources.

It has issued no update on the geographical spread of infections and deaths from

the H1N1 flu virus since early July, depriving researchers of a central source

for the growth in infections and death around the world.

Flu researchers are turning instead to far more detailed information provided by

some governments – such as the Centers for Disease Control in the US – and

through academic medical journals and public health e-mail updates such as Pro

Med and Cidrap.