China Flu Samples Set for Import to CDC (Centers For Disease Control)
U.S. health officials say they have worked out a “lapse in communications” that was delaying China from shipping bird flu virus samples to the United States.
A CDC spokeswoman on Friday said delays stemmed from a back-and-forth over whether the samples should be characterized as ‘diagnosed’ or ‘undiagnosed.’
Packing and handling guidelines are the same, but the CDC preferred the samples be shipped as ‘undiagnosed’ because the forms and approval process allow a quicker delivery, said the spokeswoman, Kathryn Harben.
If the samples are deemed ‘diagnosed,’ the approval process for shipping can take weeks. Chinese officials wanted the samples to be deemed ‘diagnosed.’
The two sides have agreed to have them shipped as ‘diagnosed’ samples. CDC officials expect to receive the samples by the end of the month, she said. The number of samples to be shipped is still being worked out, she said.
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