New Bird Flu Vaccine Developed In China

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 27 Dec 2005 - 7:00 PDT

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A new vaccine has been developed at the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, China, which is better than existing ones at protecting poultry and other birds from Avian Flu (bird flu), says the official media. Apparently, the vaccine also protects birds from Newcastle Disease.

This is the first vaccine that protects against both bird flu and Newcastle Disease, according to the Chinese Agriculture Ministry.

Administration of the drug can be done by injection, orally and also nasally - this should make it much cheaper and quicker to apply. Officials say this new vaccine costs 80% less than existing ones. This new one is a live vaccine.

Over one billion doses will be produced over the next couple of weeks.

Authorities plan to vaccinate all the country's live poultry stocks.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture said the technology and four years' worth of research carried out by the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute should be very useful in the development of a bird flu vaccine for humans.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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