Avian Influenza Vaccine Trials Underway

SYDNEY - Aug 25/04 - SNS -- Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) will begin trials on an experimental vaccine intended to protect chickens from the deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza (bird flu).

The trial vaccine utilizes Imugene Limited's platform adenoviral vector technology to deliver the necessary genetic material to stimulate the birds' immune responses.

Testing of the vaccine will now commence at CSIRO Livestock Industries' high biosecurity laboratories at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, Victoria.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu swept through 10 Asian countries early this year, resulting in the death or slaughter of over 100 million chickens and the deaths of more than 20 people. In July, further outbreaks of the strain were reported in Vietnam, Thailand and China, resulting in more culling of chickens and human deaths.

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