Duck vaccine may help curb flu

Scientists are developing a bird flu vaccine for ducks, one of the worst known contributors to the spread of the disease.

Avian influenza is particularly hard to control in migrating birds, which are believed to have spread the virus around the world.

Researchers have therefore been analysing illness in ducks from four known strains of the deadly H5N1 mutation of the virus, reported Science Daily.

H5N1 has been recorded in poultry and has been passed onto humans who have close contact with the birds.

A report in the Journal of Virology details how scientists reversed the genetics of the viruses in domastic ducks to develop H5 influenza vaccines.

"The complete protection offered by these vaccines will be useful for reducing the shedding of H5N1 avian influenza A viruses among vaccinated agricultural avian populations," researchers said.

A single vaccination offered complete protection from the disease, which would help minimise the risk of a pandemic.

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