Chinese scientists from the universities of Sahantou, Xiamen and Hong Kong have developed rapid diagnostic kits for detecting the H5N1 virus that causes avian influenza commonly known as bird flu. The test confirms the infection within two hours and can be used by non-medical staff at the outbreak site.

Quick diagnosis is crucial to outbreak identification, as the virus spreads rapidly and, when untreated, can be deadly. Old tests take between two to five days to develop, more than many patients have left to live, and work by separating the virus in order to be tested. The new test simply detects H5N1 antibodies and can be used on different types of specimens such as nasal or throat muscles, faecal material or blood. Its accuracy is estimated at 90%

Scientists say another outbreak in Southeast Asia this winter is likely and have organised a training workshop for technical staff from 21 provincial centres for disease prevention control. Bird flu has already killed 32 people in Asia this year and millions of chickens. The World Health Organisation (WTO) has issued a warning of its pandemic potential which could result in millions of human deaths.

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