November 22, 2006

Researchers to use satellites in study of bird flu

A scientist from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in north-eastern US is leading an international team of researchers trying to understand how bird flu spreads among wild birds and poultry.

Xiangming Xiao is head of the team, which will use environmental data from satellites to try to predict outbreaks.

The team will combine satellite images showing rice farming cycles and wetlands with other research on epidemics, wild bird migration and poultry farming practices. The work is focused on China, where there have been several outbreaks.

Xiao works at the UNH Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space. The team also includes United Nations scientists and researchers from Belgium and China.

The National Institutes of Health has awarded the group a US$1.5 million grant for four years.