Home
News
update:Sep 25, 2006
US spends $1 million for AI testing in Pacific
The United States has allocated one million US
dollars to conduct the first avian flu tests among migratory birds in the
Pacific.
There are several bird flu strains, but it is the so-called
H5N1, which is feared because of its potential to mutate
and trigger a human influenza pandemic.
Radio New Zealand International reports the flu tests would focus on
Hawaii, the Mariana Islands, Palau, the Marshall Islands and American Samoa,
with thousands of birds to be tested.
Dr. Jeff Burgett, at the
Hawaii-based
US Fish and Wildlife Office, said the budget has been
allocated only for this year, but he hopes the tests will be
repeated every year.
Editor WorldPoultry
To comment, login here
Or register to be able to comment.