No takers for MP bird flu vaccine

At a time when world is facing the bird flu threat (Avian Influenza), Bhopal-based High Security Animal disease laboratory is awaiting takers for the vaccine it had developed a few months ago.

The vaccine is ready in stock. The only lab in entire Asia with bio-safety level-4 category, the lab is also awaiting samples from states bordering Pakistan. Reportedly all states are on high alert and so far, Jammu and Kashmir have sent no samples for test to Bhopal lab.

"India is managed to escape bird flu. The highly pathogenic disease caused by the H5N1 virus has been reported from Islamabad and Rawalpindi in Pakistan as well as other countries, but we are more prepared this time," said HK Pradhan, head of the lab.

He also said the lab was receiving thousands of samples- 3000-4000, each week from the states for confirmation of bird flu. "It is a routine to test samples and so far, no sample has tested positive," he said.

"Handling the birds during transportation is riskier, once a sample comes to lab it is completely destroyed after completion of the tests," Pradhan said.

About the bird flu vaccine he said, "India is free from the flu, but private companies will not be able to sell it since there is no disease. The vaccine, which is dirt cheap, will last only for a year. We will be able to avoid culling and will vaccinate our birds in case of epidemic, the lab keeps stock of vaccine as precautionary step."

Pradhan is also confident of developing vaccine for humans suffering bird flu since the process was the same.

The lab is also working on 'Nipah'-- a new zoonotic virus that claimed more than 60 lives in Siliguri last year. The virus spread in humans through pigs. "We are working on developing a vaccine against Nipah," said Pradhan.