September 28, 2005

Australia spends A$7.5m on bird flu research

Australia is prepared to spend A$7.5 million on urgent research into pandemic influenza in lieu of any possible potentially deadly outbreak, confirmed the federal Health Ministry.

The federal government has already committed A$5 million to the development of a bird flu vaccine after the outbreak in Indonesia that killed six people. Large quantities of the anti-viral medication Tamiflu are also being stockpiled.

Research would include looking at the effectiveness of quarantine systems, possible lessons from previous pandemic experiences, and the possibility of developing much more detailed diagnostic kits.