Genetic information about Indonesia’s bird flu virus will be available to researchers who have been monitoring the disease. A free global database launched Thursday will give scientists and health experts access to influenza virus samples and genetic sequencing in an effort to make sure the disease isn’t mutating to a form that could spread more easily between people.

China, Russia and other nations that have until now withheld influenza virus samples say they will also hand over their data to the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data, or GISAID.

Previously, the World Health Organization had maintained a database for virus samples and influenza data. Complaints by developing countries about the manner in which information was made available prompted many to withhold data until it could be shared more quickly and openly.

Authorities in Indonesia are making final preparations to the execution of two convicted drug traffickers, this was announced by an official yesterday. “We are currently preparing the execution of two people who have been sentenced to death for drug offenses,” attorney general’s office spokesman Bonaventura Daulat Nainggolan told. He didn’t give any names, but said that they both had gone through all the options for appeal and their demand for clemency was rejected by the president as well.

Records show that two Thai nationals have had their appeals and demands for clemency rejected. The man and woman have been on death row in Medan since 1994 for smuggling 12kg of heroin into the country.

There are some 57 people on death row over drug law violations in Indonesia, according to Nainggolan. Among them are 27 foreigners, including three Australians which were members of the Bali Nine. The last person to be executed for a drug offense in Indonesia was an Indian national in 2004.

Executions in Indonesia are by firing squad, usually carried out at night in isolated and undisclosed locations. The prisoner is notified of his execution date at least 72 hours beforehand.