Chinese scientists claim to have developed a new vaccine for poultry and mammals designed to prevent the spread of the deadly avian flu virus, according to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture. The vaccine is said to protect chickens for 10 months, four months longer than existing vaccines, and geese for three months.

The vaccine, developed using a genetically-altered bird flu virus, is to be used first in parts of the country bordering Thailand and Vietnam, where the deadly virus has recently resurfaced. China is concerned the virus could spread into the country via migratory birds, hence not only poultry farms but also wildfowl will be vaccinated where possible.

The H5N1 strain has so far killed 45 people, 13 in Vietnam in January alone, and more than 120 million birds across Asia were slaughtered. The World Health Organization has warned that bird flu could trigger an international pandemic capable of killing up to 7 million people.

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