WHO Concerned At Spread of Asian Bird Flu

Jan. 14, 2004

The World Health Organization says it is concerned the H5N1 strain of bird flu is spreading across Asia.

The WHO also says opportunities are mounting for the virus to mutate into a far more lethal form.

The H5N1 strain of the flu has killed five people in Vietnam and has caused massive poultry culls and trade disruption.

Other countries have taken steps to protect their human and bird populations from the epidemic.

Meanwhile, the WHO's regional office in Manila says a prototype vaccine to protect humans from avian influenza could be ready for clinical testing shortly.

It says prototype viruses for vaccine production are being prepared by laboratories in the WHO Global Influenza Network, which would then be used as seed stock for vaccine production.

Laboratories in Hong Kong and Japan have isolated the virus from specimens obtained from two of the fatal cases in Vietnam.

Thailand confirms first case of bird flu

A Thai senator has confirmed that a child has contracted bird flu and that three others are being tested for the disease.

Nirun Phitakwatchara, senator from Ubon Ratchathami province, says the case has been found in Suphan Buri province.

He has accused the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which until late Wednesday had repeatedly denied bird flu had hit Thailand, of covering up the outbreak of the disease.

http://www.abc.net.au/ra/newstories/RANewsStories_1029842.htm