Singapore makes H5N1 virus detection equipment to produce results in half an hour

developed a testing device by the Singapore Institute of Bioengineering and Nanoresearch, which can detect the H5N1 avian influenza virus from a human throat smear sample in just 30 minutes, greatly increasing the chances of rapidly suppressing the spread of the virusThe study is published in the latest issue of the journal Nature MedicineResearchers say the Goal of the World Health Organization's suppression program is to stop the local spread of bird flu in order to halt its emergence as a global disasterIn the event of an outbreak of avian influenza, rapid identification will help to quickly curb the spread of the virusIn many countries with limited publichealthresources, routine surveillance can be problematic, so inexpensive and easy-to-use testing methods will be available"Traditional laboratory testing takes about four hours, andinstruments are required to isolate and amplify the virus before testing, " said Jurgen Pippen, who led the studyBut with the device, within 30 minutes you'll know if you're infected and, if so, to what extentWe've tested hundreds of tests on the device, which isolates, purifys and amplifies toxic DNA from bird throat smear samples and subjects it to H5N1 testing, comparable in accuracy to conventional devices, but it's faster and cheaper"The device can also be decentralized tested for H5N1 virusesScientists hope to use the device to test other viruses, such as SARS, AIDS and hepatitis B"The device may not only be used to test for avian influenza, but it can also test otherdiseases that are susceptible to infection
and can be used to detect blood or saliva in the body," they said"