Topic: Siti Fadilah Supari

A row involving Indonesia, the United States and the World Health Organization over the sharing of bird flu virus samples is jeopardizing the global early warning system for a potential influenza pandemic and putting lives at risk, say experts and officials.

U.S. health chief Michael Leavitt called on Indonesia to resume regularly sharing samples of new avian influenza viruses with the World Health Organization.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says charges the U.S. military is developing bio-weapons from bird flu strains found in Indonesia are "nutty."

Flooding and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi had claimed 195 lives by Thursday, with another 128 people missing, the Antara news agency said.

Indonesia has received permission to produce Tamiflu, the anti-viral medicine recommended for the treatment of avian influenza. Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari Sunday said the Ministry of Health obtained special rights from Roche, producer of the drug

Hours after announcing another death from avian flu, the Indonesian government Thursday lowered its death toll to three.