May 24, 2006

FAO seeks Dupont's help in controlling bird flu

Dupont has been asked by the FAO to provide initial supplies of its Virkon S veterinary disinfectant  to meet the short-term needs in 69 nations to prevent bird flu from spreading.

Most of the countries are in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Virkon S is said to be effective against bird flu viruses and several other diseases, according to FAO lab tests. Their results were supported by findings by the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China.

During the European outbreak in 2003 in the Netherlands, Virkon S was used by various governments to help prevent bird flu from spreading and is now a part of the defense strategies against the virus in some countries.