Wednesday, March 08, 2023
Virax Biolabs Group Limited announced that it has entered into an agreement for the distribution of an Avian Influenza A Virus ("AIV") real-time PCR test kit to markets accepting the CE mark, namely the European Union. The test kit is for the detection and differentiation of ribonucleic acid from AIV and the H5, H7 and H9 subtypes, including the H5N1 strain currently spreading in Europe.
The test kit is for use in laboratory settings and can help healthcare professionals accurately identify an AIV infection. It also serves as a valuable initial screening test for individuals exposed to AIV infected livestock or a high-risk environment.
With a real-time PCR tester ready to accurately and reliably detect AIV, including the deadly H5N1 strain, facilitating rapid and potentially life-saving interventions in particularly vulnerable jurisdictions.
Human infections with AIV have occurred in many countries, predominately after exposure to infected poultry or virus-contaminated environments. Six main haemagglutinin subtypes of bird flu viruses have infected people and have resulted in mild-to-severe illness with a wide range of symptoms and complications. These six subtypes include H3, H5, H6, H7, H9, and H10 viruses. Among these, H5N1 and H7N9 viruses have caused the majority of infections which occur in humans.
