Japan Seeks to Begin Research into Ebola, Other Dangerous Viruses
Posted on: Wednesday, 28 December 2005, 18:00 CST
Tokyo, Dec. 28 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government Wednesday decided to take a preparatory step toward beginning research into highly dangerous viruses such as Ebola, hoping to address the conflicting needs to cope with future disease outbreaks and allay public concern about the safety of research facilities.
The decision was made by the government's Council for Science and Technology Policy.
The government will evaluate risks posed by the absence of research into viruses that cause Ebola, Crimea Congo hemorrhagic fever and other highly dangerous diseases and study ways to convince the public of the importance of the research and assure the safety. A total of 336 million yen will be earmarked for the efforts over three years.
In Japan, there are already facilities capable of handling these viruses at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and government-backed research institute Riken. Such facilities are designated as BSL4, or biological safety level 4.
But the Japanese BSL4 facilities have not conducted research into the highly dangerous viruses because of opposition from local governments, leaving the country vulnerable to possible outbreaks of the diseases.END
Source: Jiji Press English News Service
Related Articles
- The Institut Pasteur and Merieux Alliance Take First Step Towards a Long-Term Research Partnership in the Field of Infectious Diseases
- Researchers Have Developed Test For Mad Cow Disease
- National Disease Research Interchange Receives Funding Commitment for Rare Disease Initiative
- BladeLogic Opens Research and Development Facility in India; Pune Facility to Also Serve As Regional Sales & Marketing Headquarters
- Oncology Pipeline Leads to New Eisai Inc. Research Triangle Park Facility
- Sweden to Classify Bird Flu As Dangerous Disease
- Researchers identify new drug target for Alzheimer's disease
- URGENT: US Government Investigating Possible New Mad Cow Disease Case
- Fake Research Allegations Reach New Highs
- MedImmune Initiates Pivotal Phase 3 Study for Numax(TM) to Prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus in High-Risk Infants
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds