ABSTRACT
In late 2006 the world was on the brink of a catastrophic pandemic due to the avian influenza (“bird flu”) virus H5N1. It was essential to conduct genetic studies of new viral strains isolated from human cases and to get a head start on vaccine development for those strains that appeared to have the highest pandemic potential. At this critical moment there was a breakdown in the global system for sharing of virus isolates. 1 Indonesia, without access to vaccines and antiviral medications and acting in desperation, suspended sharing of viral isolates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and its Collaborating Centers. International reaction was harsh and immediate.
