S. Korean researchers develop bird flu-detecting techology

Local researchers have developed a new device that can detect bird flu more accurately and faster.Experts say the new kit should sharply reduce the amount of damage caused by future influenza outbreaks. Cho Sung-min reports. Scientists at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology say they've developed a portable device that can detect avian influenza in the early stages.What makes the new kit special is that it can identify the virus instantly and can be used on the spot.It's considered a technological breakthrough,... given that existing methods of detection take up to a week. According to the agriculture ministry, around six million poultry had to be culled since last November... when the winter brought two simultaneous bird flu outbreaks.In March this year, several thousand more were slaughtered in a preemptive measure,... after a highly pathogenic strain of AI was discovered in the southern part of the nation.Farms lost more than 17 million U.S. dollars' worth of assets.Experts say they would have had to cull fewer birds had this device been around at the time. The device uses nanoparticles that are ten times more sensitive to bird droppings and other specimens compare to the existing tools.When the kit senses a virus in a bird or poultry sample,... the nanoparticles glow from the chemical reaction.Using that fluorescence, researchers can also easily sort out what strain of bird flu it is. "In the past, we had to inject the virus into an egg and wait for days to see if any reaction occured. But with our new method, we can figure out what type of flu it is in just a day by looking at the glowing pattern." Scientists say they will have the device ready to be used in the near future to prevent as much damage as possible from any outbreaks.Cho Sung-min, Arirang News.