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Hope over 'quick' bird flu test | Hope over 'quick' bird flu test |
(about 4 hours later) | |
UK scientists say they are developing a portable testing machine that could detect cases of bird flu in two hours. | |
Currently it takes about a week to identify the different flu strains. | |
A Nottingham Trent University team say their equipment would enable them to identify strains lethal to humans far quicker, potentially saving lives. | |
In Indonesia there has been an 81% death rate among people with the H5N1 strain, but survival chances increase greatly the earlier it is treated. | In Indonesia there has been an 81% death rate among people with the H5N1 strain, but survival chances increase greatly the earlier it is treated. |
So far, tens of millions of birds have died or been slaughtered as a result of bird flu in Asia and beyond. | So far, tens of millions of birds have died or been slaughtered as a result of bird flu in Asia and beyond. |
At the moment, the H5N1 strain, while highly infectious among poultry, is not easily passed to humans, and cannot be passed from human to human. | At the moment, the H5N1 strain, while highly infectious among poultry, is not easily passed to humans, and cannot be passed from human to human. |
Mutation fear | Mutation fear |
Scientists fear that a strain of bird flu, possibly H5N1, could eventually mutate and cross the "species barrier". | Scientists fear that a strain of bird flu, possibly H5N1, could eventually mutate and cross the "species barrier". |
It could then gain the ability to pass easily from person to person and perhaps lead to a dangerous global pandemic, they fear. | It could then gain the ability to pass easily from person to person and perhaps lead to a dangerous global pandemic, they fear. |
Once it does manage to infect a human, H5N1 is usually a killer. | Once it does manage to infect a human, H5N1 is usually a killer. |
In Indonesia, one of the worst-affected countries, 102 people, mostly those in close contact with infected poultry, have fallen ill, with four out of five dying. | In Indonesia, one of the worst-affected countries, 102 people, mostly those in close contact with infected poultry, have fallen ill, with four out of five dying. |
One of the problems is that the early symptoms, such as cough and fever, are shared by other, common infections, delaying diagnosis. | One of the problems is that the early symptoms, such as cough and fever, are shared by other, common infections, delaying diagnosis. |
Research published in The Lancet medical journal suggested that development of better diagnostic methods, and better ways of looking after patients could improve their chances. | Research published in The Lancet medical journal suggested that development of better diagnostic methods, and better ways of looking after patients could improve their chances. |
If identified within a few days, H5N1 can be treated using anti-viral drugs and the chances of survival increase significantly. | If identified within a few days, H5N1 can be treated using anti-viral drugs and the chances of survival increase significantly. |
UK experts have called for a national surveillance programme to detect H5N1 cases in Indonesians. | UK experts have called for a national surveillance programme to detect H5N1 cases in Indonesians. |
Saliva test | Saliva test |
However, Dr Alan McNally, from Nottingham Trent University, believes his technology could make a difference. | However, Dr Alan McNally, from Nottingham Trent University, believes his technology could make a difference. |
All that is needed is a swab of saliva from a patient's mouth, and it can detect molecules specific to H5N1 or other bird flu strains. | All that is needed is a swab of saliva from a patient's mouth, and it can detect molecules specific to H5N1 or other bird flu strains. |
Dr McNally said: "There's a large train of thought that one of the best ways of dealing with avian influenza is by detection and containment. | Dr McNally said: "There's a large train of thought that one of the best ways of dealing with avian influenza is by detection and containment. |
"The ability to detect and type the influenza virus immediately is essential in setting up controls as quickly as possible to minimise the spread of any potential pandemic virus." | "The ability to detect and type the influenza virus immediately is essential in setting up controls as quickly as possible to minimise the spread of any potential pandemic virus." |
The £2.3m project, which hopes to come up with a version of the machine that can fit within a briefcase, is being funded by the European Union. | The £2.3m project, which hopes to come up with a version of the machine that can fit within a briefcase, is being funded by the European Union. |