Hong Kong and US scientists have developed a new vaccine against the H5N1 bird flu virus which could be cheaper and more effective than its predecessors, the University of Hong Kong said Monday.
Microbiologists from the university and the National Institutes of Health in the United States said the vaccine, created by genetically modifying a smallpox vaccine, had a quicker immune response than existing alternatives.
Avian Influenza / Bird Flu-Causes-Symptoms-Treatment- FAQs
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.
"A single dose of the vaccine will provide rapid protective immune responses," the university said in a statement.
"In a H5 pandemic situation, such vaccines may have to be deployed at short notice. The induction of good and rapid protective immune response after the first dose of vaccine is a major advantage," it said.
Japanese Researchers Develop Nasal Spray Bird Flu Vaccine
Japanese researchers said Wednesday they were in the final stage of developing a painless bird flu vaccine which is sprayed up the nose instead of being injected.
Japanese researchers said Wednesday they were in the final stage of developing a painless bird flu vaccine which is sprayed up the nose instead of being injected.
The team hopes the new vaccine can ride on the various advantages of the smallpox vaccine, which is very cheap and has a shelf life of several years, according to a Monday report in the South China Morning Post.
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Vaccine Against Bird Flu Under Development
Vaccine that protects against pathogenic bird flu and its evolving forms is at the moment under development by scientists led by a researcher of Indian-origin.
Vaccine that protects against pathogenic bird flu and its evolving forms is at the moment under development by scientists led by a researcher of Indian-origin.
Hong Kong was the scene of the world's first reported major H5N1 bird flu outbreak among humans in 1997, when six people died.
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Bird Flu Vaccine - Indonesia Attracts WHO Attention
Today, the key challenge in the development of vaccines for bird flu, clearly revolves around finding a vaccine to combat the deadly strain of bird flu,
Today, the key challenge in the development of vaccines for bird flu, clearly revolves around finding a vaccine to combat the deadly strain of bird flu,
Most had close contact with sick birds, but scientists fear the virus could one day mutate into a form that would spread rapidly among humans, causing a pandemic.
In December, authorities found H5N1 in a chicken at a poultry farm in Hong Kong, prompting the slaughter of more than 90,000 chickens.
About a dozen wild birds found in different parts of the city have tested positive in recent weeks for the deadly strain.
Source-AFP
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