June 14, 2005

Breakthrough bird flu test by Australian scientists
 

Australian scientists have developed a bird flu test that would reduce the time taken to detect all 15 strains of the virus from three weeks to one day, according to the government. This includes strains that can spread to humans.

A microbiologist reports that this breakthrough test could identify bird flu in migratory bird populations before the disease can penetrate Australia's poultry industry. This is based on the premise that the quicker bird flu can be diagnosed, the quicker it can be dealt with.