Russian research center testing human bird flu vaccine
07/02/2008 17:09 NOVOSIBIRSK, February 7 (RIA Novosti) - A research center in Siberia is conducting the second phase of clinical trials for a human vaccine against the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, the center's deputy director said on Thursday.
Bird flu has killed over 200 people worldwide since it was first registered in Asia in 2003. Experts fear the virus could mutate into a form that spreads easily among people, sparking a worldwide pandemic.
"Clinical trials for a human vaccine against bird flu are being carried out to test its possible side effects and immunological potency," said Alexander Sergeyev of the Vektor center based in Novosibirsk. The tests should be completed by "mid-2008."
Similar research has been carried out in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Sergeyev said the Novosibirsk center is also holding trials for drugs to treat and prevent the virus in birds. He said they have proved largely effective, but research will continue in 2008.
No human fatalities or cases of humans infected with the virus have been reported in Russia, where the first outbreaks were registered in southern areas of the country and Siberia in 2005. The latest outbreak occurred near Moscow in February, resulting in the culling of thousands of poultry.
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