As bird flu continues to evolve, accurate diagnosis of the many strains of the disease is at the top of most emergency strategies. Now the most comprehensive test yet has been developed, capable of detecting 10 strains of the H5N1 virus. The current gold standard test, recommended by the World Health Organization, can detect only three.
The H5N1 virus has killed 60 per cent of the people who have caught it worldwide. Treatments are available, but to work best they need to be taken as early as possible. That makes accurate and early diagnosis essential, says Timothy Barkham at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore, one of the developers of the new test.
"Singapore likes to be prepared for what might happen. I now have something in my fridge which I can get out if there is an outbreak," says Barkham.
He adds that the test, which is being commercialised by Singaporean firm AITbiotech, will be licensed to other countries in south-east Asia.
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