Ab Osterhaus

Who is Ab Osterhaus?

Albertus Dominicus Marcellinus Erasmus Osterhaus, PhD, known as Ab Osterhaus, is a leading Dutch virologist and influenza expert. A Professor of Virology at Erasmus University Rotterdam since 1993, Osterhaus is known throughout the world for his work on SARS and H5N1, the pathogen that causes avian influenza. As the country's foremost virus expert, he frequently appears on Dutch television. He has been criticised for exaggerating the consequences of the 2009 flu pandemic and pushing for extensive measures, even though the Mexican flu is now treated as if it were a common flu. In September 2009, a controversy arose when it became known Osterhaus has a 9.8% share in ViroClinics B.V, a pharmaceutical company that supposedly benefits from the 34 million vaccines Health minister Ab Klink bought based on his advice as government consultant. Osterhaus maintains he did nothing against the law and that he does not personally benefit from the order.