Ron Fouchier 1 - Timeline

NSABB recommended Science to publish Fouchier's paper, however without experimental details and mutation data

ESWI Meeting: Fouchier first shared his results with the world

New Scientist published an article based on this findings, however with wrong conclusions: ‘Five easy mutations to make bird flu a lethal pandemic’

Fouchier announced a 60-day voluntary research moratorium

ASM Biodefence Meeting: Fouchier clarified some misconceptions about his findings

NSABB reversed their decision after revision of Fouchier's paper

Indefinite extension of moratorium

Meeting convened by WHO: discussion of the issue in order to seek concensus

Publication of Kawaoka's similar research in Nature: 'Experimental adaptation of an influenza H5 HA confers respiratory droplet transmission to a reassortant H5 HA/H1N1 virus in ferrets'

Publication of Fouchier's paper in Science: 'Airborne transmission of influenza A/H5N1 virus between ferrets'

End of moratorium -> Research resumes on avian influenza

Fouchier applied for and was granted an export license by the Dutch government

Fouchier submitted his manuscript to Science: 'Aerosol transmission of avian influenza H5N1 virus'

US government alert: potential dual research of concern -> NSABB: review and recommendations

Meeting with Dutch government officials: address the export restriction

Dutch government considers using export regulations to prevent full publication