September 8, 2005

China creates new disinfectant against bird flu

A disinfectant that is said to be able to kill the pathogenic bird flu virus H5N1, is expected to be available in the Chinese market soon.

CAIQ-1 was developed by Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine (CAIQ) and approved by a panel of poultry experts in Beijing on Aug 23.

According to a report by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Agriculture, the product is the first of its kind and can be used directly on domestic fowls, while other disinfectants can be only used in empty coops.

CAIQ-1 is also claimed to be able to kill Newcastle disease virus and other pathogens that cause infectious bird diseases. It would also not leave any harmful residue in treated poultry.

The product was said to have been tested on about 120,000 chickens and 94,000 ducks in Liaoning, Jilin and Shandong, with results also showing that the chemical can lower ammonia levels in poultry housing.